Instructor Incapacitation Due to Dehydration During Navigational Flight (SP-WLC)

Incident Overview

On 21 August 2024 at 16:03 local time, a Cessna 152, registration SP-WLC, operated by Navcom Systems Sp. z o.o. Sp.k., departed on a closed-circuit navigational flight from EPSL with an instructor and a student pilot on board. Approximately 30 minutes into the flight, the instructor experienced a sudden deterioration in well-being and decided to discontinue the flight and land at EPLB. The crew informed Warsaw FIS of the situation and requested medical services to be present at the landing airport. The aircraft landed safely at 16:57, and the instructor received medical assistance. The investigation found no immediate threat to the instructor's life. The instructor stated that he had begun flight duties at 09:00 that day and had completed two previous flights totaling 3 hours and 50 minutes before the incident flight.

Cause

The probable cause of the incident was determined to be dehydration of the instructor.

Preventive Actions

The investigative body recommended the implementation of a pre-flight assessment of personnel fitness to fly. No specific contributing factors or additional safety recommendations were identified.