Incident Overview
During a scheduled air carrier flight operating at normal cruising altitude, the captain excused himself to use the lavatory. Upon re-entering the cockpit, the captain lost consciousness. The flight crew declared a medical emergency and diverted the aircraft to an alternate destination.
Medical Background
A review of the captain's medical history disclosed that chronic lymphatic leukemia had been diagnosed in 1981. The condition was first reported to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 1985. In July 1985, the captain received special authorization from the FAA to hold a first-class medical certificate. After a seven-month period of sick leave, the captain returned to flight status in February 1986.