History of the Flight
On 22 November 2017, a Garuda Indonesia Airbus A330-200, registered PK-GPM, operated a scheduled passenger flight from Hong Kong International Airport to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta. The aircraft departed at 1737 local time (0937 UTC) in daylight with 167 persons on board: two pilots, 10 flight attendants, and 155 passengers. The Pilot in Command (PIC) served as Pilot Flying, and the Second in Command (SIC) as Pilot Monitoring. This was the first flight of the day for both pilots. No aircraft technical abnormalities were reported before departure.
Approximately 15 minutes after takeoff, while climbing through Flight Level 200 (20,000 feet), the PIC told the SIC to take control as he intended to hang his coat. After standing, he felt dizzy, returned to his seat, and fainted. The SIC called a flight attendant (FA) to the cockpit and informed her of the incapacitation. The FA found the PIC unconscious, restrained his harness, and fetched a portable oxygen mask. When she attempted to place the mask, the PIC vomited. The FA then returned to the cabin, while a company pilot traveling as a passenger remained in the cockpit to assist.
The SIC declared an emergency to air traffic control due to pilot incapacitation and requested a return to Hong Kong. Controllers provided radar vectors and priority for landing on Runway 07R. During descent at about 10,000 feet, the PIC regained consciousness and asked what had happened; the SIC explained the aircraft was returning. The PIC then rested. The aircraft landed at approximately 1045 local time and taxied to Parking Stand 105. Paramedics evacuated the PIC to a hospital. The aircraft was undamaged, and no one was injured.
Medical and Pathological Information
On the day before the flight, the PIC had local culinary for dinner. Prior to departing for Hong Kong, he ate a beef burger and drank a cold soda. After landing in Hong Kong, he used the aircraft lavatory and told the SIC he felt nauseated. During the layover, he experienced stomachache and defecated seven times since arriving at the hotel. He did not take any medication. He felt ready for the flight. The investigation could not determine his fluid intake or loss.
After the aircraft landed back in Hong Kong, the PIC was transferred by ambulance to a hospital, where he was diagnosed with gastroenteritis. He was advised to rest for one day but given no medication. Later, while eating at the hotel, he vomited and was again taken by ambulance to the same hospital. He was released and again advised to rest. The next day, feeling unwell, he went to another hospital and was admitted for three days.
Conclusions
The Komite Nasional Keselamatan Transportasi (KNKT) concluded that continuing to perform duty while having untreated gastroenteritis and dehydration might have led to the pilot's incapacitation. The KNKT acknowledged safety actions taken by Garuda Indonesia and did not issue additional safety recommendations.