What happened
On July 29, 2022, an Airbus A320-232, registration LV-IVN, was operating a scheduled commercial flight from Aeroparque Jorge Newbery in Buenos Aires to Córdoba. Approximately 50 minutes into the flight, while the aircraft was in its descent phase, the captain experienced a sudden medical episode that left him unable to perform his duties.
As the captain became unresponsive, the first officer took control of the aircraft. The crew worked together with the cabin attendants to secure the captain in his seat and ensure he did not interfere with the flight controls. The first officer requested medical assistance from air traffic control for the arrival at Córdoba. The aircraft landed safely at Córdoba International Airport without any damage to the airframe or injuries to the 174 passengers and 5 crew members on board.
The investigation
The investigation examined the medical certification of the flight crew and the operational response to the medical emergency. The captain held a valid Class I medical certificate, which had been issued only 45 days prior to the event and showed no medical limitations. The investigation noted that the specific pathology that caused the loss of consciousness was transient in nature, making it undetectable during standard aeromedical examinations.
Investigators also reviewed the airline's Operations Manual (MOE). The investigation looked into the crew's adherence to established protocols regarding command succession and emergency declarations when the minimum required crew cannot be maintained.
Findings
- The captain suffered a total incapacitation during the flight.
- Because no other qualified pilots were on board, the first officer was forced to operate the aircraft as a single pilot, significantly increasing his workload during the descent and landing.
- The medical condition that caused the sudden loss of consciousness was not detectable during the captain's most recent medical certification.
- The crew did not follow the company's specific procedure, which requires a formal declaration of emergency if the minimum crew complement cannot be maintained.