Trainee Captain Loses Consciousness During Taxi at Sydney Airport
A Qantas Boeing 737 trainee pilot briefly lost consciousness after landing Qantas flight QF804 from Canberra to Sydney on 10 June. The incident occurred after the aircraft had safely vacated the runway and was taxiing toward its designated gate at Sydney Airport around 7:00 PM local time.
The aircraft carried 113 passengers and eight crew members, including three pilots, as part of Qantas’ routine domestic operation. During taxiing, the trainee captain informed the first officer of feeling unwell. He applied the brakes before losing consciousness.
Supervising Captain Takes Control of the Aircraft
A supervising check captain, onboard under Qantas’ standard training procedures, took over the controls immediately. The aircraft was safely taxied to Gate T3 without further complication. Medical staff arrived on board shortly after passengers began disembarking to treat the incapacitated pilot.
Qantas confirmed the event and stated its crew followed all standard operating procedures. A spokesperson said, “The safety and well-being of our passengers and crew is our priority, and we’re supporting the individual following the incident.” The airline did not disclose the specific medical issue, citing privacy reasons.
ATSB Aware of the Medical Event
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau confirmed it had been notified of the pilot incapacitation. The bureau documented the incident in its safety database. The ATSB stated it would not conduct a full investigation as the situation was managed effectively and posed no ongoing flight safety risk.
The presence of two other pilots in the cockpit ensured the aircraft reached the gate safely without disruption to passengers or ground operations.
Similar Medical Event Aboard Qantas Flight QF505 in March
A comparable incident occurred three months earlier during Qantas flight QF505, operated by a Boeing 737-800 from Brisbane to Sydney. That aircraft carried 127 passengers and six crew members on board.
On 10 March 2025, while cruising several hundred kilometres north of Sydney, the captain of QF505 experienced chest pains. The first officer was already handling the controls and remained in command throughout the emergency.
Flight attendants acted swiftly and prepared an onboard defibrillator. The captain remained conscious as crew placed the pads on him. However, the defibrillator was not activated. The aircraft entered a holding pattern as the situation developed.
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First Officer Issues PAN Call During QF505 Emergency
Recognising the urgency of the situation, the first officer contacted Sydney Air Traffic Control and issued a PAN call. This signal indicated a medical emergency that required prompt but not immediate distress response.
ATC audio captured the first officer calmly stating, “Tower, good morning. Qantas 505 … we are requesting a medical PAN.” The controller acknowledged the request and cleared the aircraft for a priority approach to Runway 34R at Sydney Airport.
QF505 landed safely at approximately 9:00 AM local time. Following landing, the captain—still conscious—taxied the aircraft to the gate. Paramedics met the aircraft and transported the captain to hospital for further treatment.
Qantas Confirms Both Crews Acted According to Protocol
Qantas responded to both incidents, confirming that flight crews followed all training and emergency protocols. The airline stated, “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.”
As the Boeing 737-800 only allows taxiing control from the captain’s seat, the captain completed taxiing before receiving medical assistance.
ATSB Monitoring Both Incidents
The ATSB has received reports for both medical emergencies involving Qantas Boeing 737 pilots. The bureau is gathering information related to QF505 to determine whether a detailed investigation is warranted.
The bureau has confirmed it documented the QF804 event but does not plan further review due to proper crew management and minimal flight safety risk.
Both incidents highlight the importance of multi-crew training and readiness, particularly in short-haul domestic operations. Qantas continues to maintain operational safety standards across its fleet.
