On 21 July 2022, one minute after takeoff from Surabaya, an Airbus A320 first officer acting as pilot flying (PF) saw that the captain was “in a rigid position." A medically qualified passenger was identified but could not find signs of life. A ‘PAN’ was declared and a return to land requested but due to resuscitation attempts, it was over 40 minutes before a landing occurred. The captain was subsequently confirmed deceased. The captain’s most recent medical examination was found not to have included a sufficiently in-depth assessment of his ongoing vascular risk factors before renewal of his medical certification.

On 21 July 2022, one minute after takeoff from Surabaya, an Airbus A320 first officer acting as pilot flying (PF) saw that the captain was “in a rigid position." A medically qualified passenger was identified but could not find signs of life. A ‘PAN’ was declared and a return to land requested but due to resuscitation attempts, it was over 40 minutes before a landing occurred. The captain was subsequently confirmed deceased. The captain’s most recent medical examination was found not to have included a sufficiently in-depth assessment of his ongoing vascular risk factors before renewal of his medical certification.

On 5 December 2019, the first officer of a Cessna 208 on a scheduled Indonesian domestic passenger flight close to Timor-Leste became physically ill during normal unpressurised cruise at 10,000 feet during conversation about a family health issue. When he briefly lost consciousness, the captain declared a MAYDAY and diverted to Dili. The first officer recovered and when hospital checks were passed, the flight to the intended destination was completed. An in-depth medical investigation found no evidence of physical illness and concluded that unmanaged emotional stress had led to hyperventilation followed by a temporary incapacitation.

On 5 December 2019, the first officer of a Cessna 208 on a scheduled Indonesian domestic passenger flight close to Timor-Leste became physically ill during normal unpressurised cruise at 10,000 feet during conversation about a family health issue. When he briefly lost consciousness, the captain declared a MAYDAY and diverted to Dili. The first officer recovered and when hospital checks were passed, the flight to the intended destination was completed. An in-depth medical investigation found no evidence of physical illness and concluded that unmanaged emotional stress had led to hyperventilation followed by a temporary incapacitation.

On 17 February 2024, an Airbus A321 captain was initially unable to re-enter the flight deck after a short absence in cruise. On succeeding, he discovered that the first officer had become incapacitated with what ICAO classifies as a ‘seizure disorder,’ which was subsequently found to have occurred almost immediately after the captain had left. Once back on the flight deck, an emergency was declared with immediate diversion to Madrid Barajas where the first officer was hospitalised. A safety recommendation to consider further assessment of the risks of one pilot being alone on a secured flight deck was made.