The Insidious Passenger and Pilot Killer – Episode 229

Hypoxia is a significant danger in aviation and an insidious killer of passengers and pilots. Special guest Miles O’Brien hosts a discussion with aviation experts Todd Curtis, Greg Feith, and John Goglia that covers how hypoxia impacts all forms of aviation. They discuss personal experiences with hypoxia and share insights from several hypoxia-related accidents.

Hypoxia is a condition where the human body is deprived of oxygen which can reduce mental function. Hypoxia can be particularly hazardous for pilots because someone experiencing hypoxia may not be aware of its symptoms or its effects on their performance.

One high-profile incident in 1999 took the life to golfer Payne Stewart. He was a passenger in a Learjet 35 that took off from Orlando Executive Airport and became non-responsive to air traffic control. Fighter jets intercepted the plane and determined the crew was unconscious. After 1500 miles the jet ran out of fuel and crashed over South Dakota.

Greg, Todd, Miles, and John have all experienced hypoxia in controlled altitude chambers. They share their experiences, which include feelings of euphoria, reduced mental capacity, reduced physical performance, and even a case of high-altitude bends.

Key to understanding hypoxia is the concept of time of useful consciousness, which is the amount of time a person can spend at altitude without feeling the effects of hypoxia. That period of time gets smaller as altitude increases. Age, stress, and other factors may shorten those times.

Related Documents:

• NTSB Accident Report ERA23FA256 Cessna Citation Hypoxia Event 2023-06-04
• NTSB Accident Report CEN22FA145 Piper Comanche Hypoxia Event 2022-03-17
• NTSB Accident Report ERA14LA424 TBM 700 Hypoxia Event 2014-09-05
• AAIASB Greece Accident Report of Hypoxia Event 2005-08-14
• NTSB Accident Brief Payne Stewart Hypoxia Event 1999-10-25
• JAL Flight 123 Hypoxia Event 1985-08-12
• Hypoxia Brochure from FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
• Chapter 17 from FAA’s Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge