FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute

Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-82/15

Title and Subtitle: Carbon monoxide in-flight incapacitation: An occasional toxic problem in aviation

Report Date: October 1982

Authors: Lacefield DJ, Roberts PA, Grape PM

Abstract: Results from the toxicological study of samples from 4,072 pilots killed in general aviation accidents have revealed that carbon monoxide has been the cause of incapacitation in 21 (0.5 percent) of the cases. Two cases are presented that are typical of accidents caused by incapacitation from carbon monoxide, in that no cause was determined until after toxicological examination of the victims was made. Since no suitable system is available to warn pilots of elevated carbon monoxide levels in the cabin, education of pilots should be undertaken to make them aware of the hazards of exposure to and symptoms produced by this highly toxic gas.

Key Words: Pilot incapacitation, Carbon monoxide, General aviation

No. of Pages: 7