B712, vicinity Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 2023

B712, vicinity Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 2023

Summary

On 6 June 2023, a Boeing 717-200 was on base leg about 10 nm from Hobart, Australia, when chlorine fumes became evident on the flight deck. As the aircraft became fully established on final approach, the captain recognised signs of cognitive impairment and handed control to the initially unaffected first officer. Just before touchdown, the first officer was similarly affected but was able to safely complete the landing and taxi in. The same aircraft had experienced a similar event two days earlier with no fault found. The Investigation determined that the operator’s procedures for responding to crew incapacitation in flight had been inadequate.

Description

On 6 June 2023, as a Boeing 717-200 (VH-NXM) operated by National Jet Systems for Qantas on a scheduled passenger flight from Sydney to Hobart was approaching destination in night visual meteorological conditions (VMC) when both pilots detected the same chlorine odour that had been reported by the cabin crew after takeoff but had disappeared. The captain sensed the onset of ‘hypoxia-like’ symptoms, and having self-assessed as unfit to continue as Pilot Flying, passed these duties to the initially unaffected first officer. However, just before touchdown, the first officer, too, began experiencing “cognitive difficulties” controlling the aircraft but safely completed the flight. After shutdown, both pilots reported persistent headaches. The captain experienced speech effects and lethargy, prompting ultimately inconclusive hospital medical tests.

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