History of the Flight
On 4 August 2021, a Boeing 737-8H6 aircraft, registered as YR-BGL and operated by TAROM, was scheduled to perform commercial passenger flight ROT 361/362 from Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP) to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) and back, departing at 06:00 UTC. The crew reported for pre-flight briefing between 03:50 and 04:15 UTC. The pilot-in-command (PIC) acted as pilot flying (PF) and the co-pilot (first officer, FO) as pilot monitoring (PM). The aircraft took off at approximately 06:00 UTC.
After about 50 minutes of flight, the FO reported feeling generally unwell. The flight continued normally and landed safely at AMS at 09:30 UTC. During the ground turnaround, the PIC inquired about the FO's condition and whether medical assistance was needed. The FO stated he could continue but requested that the PIC perform the flying duties for the return leg, even though the FO was scheduled to be PF. The aircraft departed AMS at around 11:30 UTC.
Approximately 50 minutes into the return flight, the FO again began to feel unwell. The PIC monitored the FO's condition carefully. During the final approach to Otopeni, after about 2 hours and 45 minutes of flight, the FO's discomfort worsened. The PIC declared a MAYDAY emergency, requesting medical assistance after landing. The PIC followed the operator's Operations Manual procedures for pilot incapacitation, and the aircraft landed and taxied safely to the parking position. After engine shutdown, an ambulance crew provided first aid to the FO. Passengers disembarked via the rear access door. Following first aid, the FO left the aircraft without additional assistance.
Personnel Information
The PIC, a 42-year-old male, held a valid Romanian ATPL and a valid Class 1 medical certificate. He had 10,000 total flight hours, including 4,000 hours on the Boeing 737. The FO, a 57-year-old male, held a valid Romanian ATPL and a valid Class 1 medical certificate. He had 14,300 total flight hours, including 3,000 hours on the Boeing 737.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Boeing 737-8H6, manufacturer serial number 40145, registered in Romania as YR-BGL. It was owned by BBC Equipment Leasing Company and operated by TAROM SA. An airworthiness certificate was valid.
Meteorological Information
The aerodrome weather report at Otopeni at 12:30 UTC (METAR LROP 041230Z) indicated visibility of 10 km or more, wind from 030° at 7 knots, few cumulus congestus clouds with a ceiling of 150 m, temperature 32°C, and no significant weather phenomena.
Flight Recorders
The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) was downloaded and analyzed. It contained 2 hours and 4 minutes of the return flight, including the medical intervention after parking. Due to CVR technical limitations, the outward flight (OTP-AMS) cockpit conversations were not recorded.
Operational and Organizational Aspects
The operator's Operations Manual specified actions for pilot incapacitation, including assuming control, engaging autopilot, informing ATC, calling for cabin crew assistance, and arranging medical help. The PIC followed these procedures. No work time overruns were found.
Medical and Pathological Information
The FO's statement indicated that his discomfort stemmed from conflictual discussions with the PIC that began immediately after presenting at the airport and ended when the discomfort started, about 50 minutes after takeoff from Otopeni. The CVR recording did not capture these conversations on the outward leg. The PIC and cabin crew statements were considered but not detailed in the report.
Analysis
The investigation determined that the FO's incapacitation was caused by discomfort resulting from conflictual discussions with the PIC that occurred before and during the first flight segment.