What happened
On May 8, 2000, at 07:46 local time, China Airlines flight CI681, an A300-600R registered as B-18503, departed from Taiwan's CKS International Airport bound for Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Approximately 31 minutes into the flight, while cruising at 31,000 feet, the first officer discovered that the captain had suddenly become unresponsive.
Following established incapacitation procedures, the first officer requested assistance from the cabin crew to move the captain to the galley for first aid. An announcement was made over the passenger address system to seek a doctor on board. The first officer subsequently decided to divert the aircraft back to CKS International Airport. The aircraft landed safely on Runway 05-Left using the autoland system at 08:50.
Following the landing, the aircraft stopped on a taxiway at 08:52. Due to airline policy prohibiting the first officer from taxiing, the aircraft had to be towed to a parking bay. After the aircraft reached the bay, medical personnel boarded to continue treatment. The captain was eventually transported to Mingsheng Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 10:20.
The investigation
The Aviation Safety Council (ASC) conducted an investigation into the incident, focusing on the cause of the pilot's incapacitation and the effectiveness of the ground-based emergency response. The investigation included interviews with relevant personnel, an examination of the captain's flight bag, and a review of the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR).
Investigators examined the captain's medical history, physical examination records, and the airport's emergency protocols. The investigation also scrutinized the communication between the flight crew, air traffic controllers, and airport authorities during the emergency descent and landing phase.