Helios Airways Crash The following is a summary of a crash involving Helios Airways flight HCY522, a Boeing 737-300, based on the findings of the Air Accident Investigation & Aviation Safety Board in 2006.
On 14 August 2005, Helios Airways flight HCY522, departed Larnaca, Cyprus enroute to Athens, Hellas. A normal takeoff ensued, and the aircraft was cleared to climb to 34,000 feet. As the aircraft climbed through 16,000 feet, the Captain contacted the company operations to report what he believed was a take-off configuration warning. In the next 8 minutes that Captain made several communication to operations, which ended as the aircraft climbed through 28,900 feet. Thereafter, there was no response to radio calls to the aircraft. Flight …show more content…
In my experience, not enough time is spent during a pilot’s initial training discussing the importance of hypoxia. Too many times the topic is quickly dismissed as something that will only occur at high altitudes. I have shown that hypoxia is not only present at high altitudes, but clearly affects the entire aviation populations. Whether you’re flying general aviation, commercial aircraft with pressurized cabins, or military jets, everyone needs to be aware of hypoxia. “With the advent of very light jets and increased single-pilot high-altitude operations, this training takes on an even greater significance” (Snyder, 2006, p. …show more content…
Dr. Quay Snyder identifies two key elements of successful hypoxia training, “First, the pilot must learn to recognize early signs of hypoxia. Second, the pilot must be taught to immediately take corrective action by donning an oxygen mask to rapidly clear those symptoms” (2006, p. 21). One of the only ways to know how you will experience hypoxia is to place yourself in that situation. This can be done safely by taking a “flight” in an altitude chamber, so you can witness the effects first hand in a controlled environment, (U.S. Department of Transportation, 2008). “These chambers have provided valuable experiences to flight crewmembers in the recognition of personal hypoxia symptoms, the subtle incapacitating effects of hypoxia and the unpleasant physiological effects of rapid decompression” (Snyder, 2006, p. 20). However, proper medical screening must be conducted prior to taking part in this type of
On 14 August 2005, Helios Airways flight HCY522, departed Larnaca, Cyprus enroute to Athens, Hellas. A normal takeoff ensued, and the aircraft was cleared to climb to 34,000 feet. As the aircraft climbed through 16,000 feet, the Captain contacted the company operations to report what he believed was a take-off configuration warning. In the next 8 minutes that Captain made several communication to operations, which ended as the aircraft climbed through 28,900 feet. Thereafter, there was no response to radio calls to the aircraft. Flight …show more content…
In my experience, not enough time is spent during a pilot’s initial training discussing the importance of hypoxia. Too many times the topic is quickly dismissed as something that will only occur at high altitudes. I have shown that hypoxia is not only present at high altitudes, but clearly affects the entire aviation populations. Whether you’re flying general aviation, commercial aircraft with pressurized cabins, or military jets, everyone needs to be aware of hypoxia. “With the advent of very light jets and increased single-pilot high-altitude operations, this training takes on an even greater significance” (Snyder, 2006, p. …show more content…
Dr. Quay Snyder identifies two key elements of successful hypoxia training, “First, the pilot must learn to recognize early signs of hypoxia. Second, the pilot must be taught to immediately take corrective action by donning an oxygen mask to rapidly clear those symptoms” (2006, p. 21). One of the only ways to know how you will experience hypoxia is to place yourself in that situation. This can be done safely by taking a “flight” in an altitude chamber, so you can witness the effects first hand in a controlled environment, (U.S. Department of Transportation, 2008). “These chambers have provided valuable experiences to flight crewmembers in the recognition of personal hypoxia symptoms, the subtle incapacitating effects of hypoxia and the unpleasant physiological effects of rapid decompression” (Snyder, 2006, p. 20). However, proper medical screening must be conducted prior to taking part in this type of