VARA A320 near Adelaide on Mar 3rd 2023, first officer incapacitated
 

Incident: VARA A320 near Adelaide on Mar 3rd 2023, first officer incapacitated

By Simon Hradecky, created Sunday, Mar 5th 2023 19:20Z, last updated Wednesday, Mar 8th 2023 10:09Z

A VARA Virgin Australia Regional Airlines Airbus A320-200, registration VH-VNB performing flight VA-717 from Adelaide,SA to Perth,WA (Australia), was enroute at FL320 about 240nm westnorthwest of Adelaide about 30 minutes into the flight when the first officer suffered a heart attack and became incapacitated. The captain declared PAN PAN and returned the aircraft to Adelaide for a safe landing on runway 23 about 70 minutes later.

The flight was cancelled.

The aircraft remained on the ground for about 25 hours before returning to service.

On Mar 8th 2023 Virgin Australia reported: "We can confirm that the First Officer on board VA717 on 3 March became ill during the flight, requiring a return to Adelaide in line with safety protocols. The aircraft landed safely in Adelaide and passengers were reaccommodated on the next available flights. The First Officer was taken to hospital for observation and was later reported to be okay. "

https://avherald.com/h?article=505ff721&opt=0

Didn't see this on the news ?

Probably not in the news because it wasn't Qantas :)

Was on a VA flight to Sunny Coast a few weeks back and we did an air return due to a sick FO. He was taken off in a wheelchair. Didn't see that in the news either.

Imagine if we had single pilot ops…..

Not good at all. Glad to hear he is ok. Wonder if there are reliable medical tests that can be done to determine if the FO can retain his medical.

Most acute pilot incapacitations are short lived, usually gastro intestinal.

Far more likely food poisoning than heart attack fortunately.

Flight number/date of the Sunny Coast flight?

14-2 - VA1031

Thanks I looked it up but it has removed from view.