# NTSB ATL86IA162: Boeing 727-225, N8865E, Charleston, SC, June 8, 1986

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: June 8, 1986, 10:33 local (14:33 UTC)
- Place: Charleston, SC
- Coordinates: 32.89957, -80.0597 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8996&lon=-80.0597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 67 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7017
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86IA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7017/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86IA162

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Miscellaneous/other, cruise - normal
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - incapacitation(other organic problem), pilot in command (cause)
  - performed

## Analysis

DURING A SCHEDULED AIR CARRIER FLIGHT AT NORMAL CRUISING ALTITUDE, THE CAPTAIN PASSED OUT UPON RE-ENTERING THE COCKPIT AFTER EXCUSING HIMSELF TO GO TO THE LAVATORY. THE FLIGHT CREW DIVERTED TO AN ALTERNATE DESTINATION DUE TO THE MEDICAL EMERGENCY. A REVIEW OF THE CAPTAIN'S MEDICAL HISTORY REVEALED THAT CHRONIC LYMPHATIC LUKEMIA WAS DIAGNOSED IN 1981 AND WAS FIRST REPORTED TO THE FAA IN 1985. THE CAPTAIN HAD RECEIVED SPECIAL AUTHORIZATION FROM THE FAA TO HOLD A FIRST CLASS MEDICAL CERTIFICATE IN JULY OF 1985 AND RETURNED TO FLIGHT STATUS IN FEBRUARY OF 1986 AFTER A 7 MONTH PERIOD OF SICK LEAVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8865E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727-225
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20627
- Engines: P&W JT8D-15 15500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Eastern Airlines, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: BOS, BOSTON, MA
- Destination: MCO, ORLANDO, FL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 12,343 total, 3,971 in this make and model, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHS

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19860608078319I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860608078319I), Jun 8, 1986: Boeing 727225, Charleston, SC. The pilot lost consciousness and the copilot landed the airliner. The pilot was flying with a known medical problem

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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