SYDNEY- A Qantas Airways (QF) trainee pilot (trainee Captain) briefly lost consciousness shortly after landing a Boeing 737 at Sydney Airport (SYD), following a routine flight from Canberra (CBR).
The incident occurred aboard Qantas flight QF804, which carried 113 passengers and 8 crew members, including three pilots, on a short domestic route between the two Australian cities.
Photo: By Bidgee, CC BY-SA 3.0 au, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=86628332Qantas Pilot Incapacitated After Sydney Landing
Qantas flight QF804, a scheduled domestic service from Canberra (CBR) to Sydney (SYD), encountered a medical emergency involving its trainee captain shortly after a safe landing on the evening of Tuesday, June 10.
The aircraft, a Boeing 737, had already vacated the runway and was taxiing when the incident unfolded, SMH reported
While on the taxiway, the trainee captain informed the first officer that he was feeling unwell. He engaged the aircraft’s brakes before losing consciousness.
Fortunately, a supervising check captain—assigned to oversee the flight as part of standard Qantas pilot training protocols—was onboard and took control, safely taxiing the aircraft to Gate T3 around 7:00 PM local time.
Medical personnel were called to treat the pilot onboard while passengers were disembarking. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) confirmed that it had been notified of the “pilot incapacitation event.”
According to its statement, two other pilots in the cockpit quickly took control, ensuring the aircraft reached the gate without further complications.
The ATSB noted that while the event had been documented in its safety database, it would not pursue a full investigation, indicating that the situation was effectively managed and posed no ongoing threat to flight safety.
Qantas Official Statement
Qantas (QF) acknowledged the incident and confirmed that its crew followed all standard operating procedures.
A company spokesperson told SMH, “The safety and well-being of our passengers and crew is our priority, and we’re supporting the individual following the incident.” Due to privacy considerations, the airline declined to comment on the specific medical cause.
This incident follows a similar event three months prior, in which another Qantas 737 captain experienced chest pains mid-flight and required a priority landing. In that case, flight attendants were prepared to use a defibrillator.
Photo: By Jordan Vuong from Perth, Australia – Qantas 737-800 short final, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24201981Similar Incident
A Qantas (QF) flight from Brisbane (BNE) to Sydney (SYD) made an urgent landing on March 10, 2025, after the captain experienced chest pains midair.
Qantas Flight QF505, operated by a Boeing 737-800, requested priority clearance into Sydney Airport (SYD) following a medical emergency involving the captain, prompting swift action from the flight crew.
The incident occurred while Qantas Flight QF505 was cruising several hundred kilometres north of Sydney. The aircraft was en route from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Sydney Airport (SYD) with 127 passengers and six crew members on board.
While the aircraft was holding for its approach, the captain began experiencing chest pains. The flight attendants quickly responded and prepared to use an onboard defibrillator inside the cockpit. Although the pads were applied, the equipment was not activated.
The aircraft’s customer service manager assisted while the first officer, who was handling the controls, remained in command.
PAN Call and Coordinated Response
Recognizing the urgency, the first officer issued a PAN (Possible Assistance Needed) call to Sydney Air Traffic Control. This radio call, used for medical and other urgent non-distress situations, was met with immediate coordination for a priority landing on Runway 34R.
In air traffic control audio, the first officer can be heard stating calmly: “Tower, good morning. Qantas 505 … we are requesting a medical PAN.” The controller acknowledged the call and cleared the aircraft to continue the approach.
Despite the in-flight emergency, the flight concluded safely with a landing at approximately 9:00 AM local time. Following standard procedure, the captain, who remained conscious, taxied the aircraft to the gate at Sydney Airport (SYD). He was met by paramedics and transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. As per Boeing 737-800 design, only the captain’s seat allows full taxiing control.
Qantas confirmed the incident, stating: “The other pilot was operating the aircraft at the time and landed the aircraft into Sydney as normal. The pilot was treated by paramedics at the gate and transferred to the hospital.”
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has been notified of the incident and is currently gathering additional information to assess whether further investigation is warranted.
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