Incapacitation - Indonesia - Curt Lewis

Incident: Batik A320 near Kupang on Nov 17th 2019, captain incapacitated

A Batik Air Airbus A320-200, registration PK-LUF performing flight ID-6548 from Jakarta to Kupang (Indonesia) with 155 people on board, was descending towards Kupang when the captain began to complain about headache, subsequently stating he felt weak and unable to concentrate. The captain became unconscious. The first officer assumed command of the aircraft, had cabin crew taking care of the captain, declared emergency and continued for a safe landing in Kupang. The aircraft stopped on the runway, the first officer shut down the engines while emergency services entered the runway, boarded the aircraft and provided first aid to the captain and subsequently took him to a local hospital. A replacement A320-200 registration PK-LZL positioned from Surabaya (Indonesia) to Kupang and resumed the schedule assigned to PK-LUF with a delay of about 6.5 hours. The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground for about 18 hours, then positioned to Surabaya and resumed service. Indonesia's KNKT opened an investigation into the occurrence. The airport stated the cause of the incapacitation is still to be determined. The airline reported the captain descended the aircraft after experiencing a headache that reduced his concentration.