When Pilots Are Incapacitated: Who Flies the Plane?

As a committed Christian who looks to God as a very present help in time of trouble, you might wonder who would take control in the cockpit if both pilots were to suddenly become incapacitated. In such a scenario, (plane crashes resulting from pilot incapacitation) have only occurred once, but aviation has a robust set of emergency procedures in place to ensure safety.

The Extent of Emergency Protocols

In the possibility of a dual-pilot incapacitation, the most immediate concern is ensuring the safe continuation of the flight. If there is no one qualified to fly the plane, the laws of nature could take over, making gravity the default pilot. However, this is highly undesirable.

Air traffic control and ground experts can also play a crucial role in guiding the plane to a safe landing. In many cases, a non-pilot on the flight could be trained to handle the situation, or the flight attendants, who are often given some emergency training, could assist in the landing process.

Hidden Pilots: Flight Attendants and Other Crew Members

The presence of a flight attendant or other crew members who are pilots can offset the potential for disaster. Many pilots fly as passengers or “deadhead” back to their home airport, making it a not-so-uncommon scenario for a latent pilot to be on board. Additionally, air traffic control can quickly summon a pilot skilled in that aircraft type if necessary.

Airlines often take steps to ensure the safety of the pilots. For example, they provide different meals to prevent food poisoning and mandate that one pilot leaves the cockpit to use the restroom while the other remains at the controls. This precaution aims to keep both pilots alert and capable of handling unforeseen emergencies.

The Role of the Co-Pilot

In the event that both pilots fail, the co-pilot, who is trained to handle such situations, would typically be the next in line to take control. The co-pilot often has a higher level of flying experience than the pilot in command (PIC) when an emergency occurs. Flight attendants have also received some basic training in emergency procedures. If there is a qualified pilot on board, he or she would be the primary candidate to handle the situation.

In the absence of a trained pilot, the flight attendants would communicate with a pilot on the ground. Even flight attendants who are interested in flying might have some basic knowledge of using the radio and setting the transponder or autopilot. Personal anecdotes might suggest that even a layperson, like a friend of the author who used to fly, might be better than nothing, given the critical situation.

The incapacitated pilots' situation is indeed a rare occurrence, but it highlights the importance of aviation safety measures and the potential for human error. Even in the most tragic accidents, the steps taken to prevent disaster are a testament to the dedication of the aviation industry to ensuring safe skies.