NTSB CAROL · Event
Event ATL86IA162
Aircraft involved
Factual narrative
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. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12
Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file
NTSB_1986_ATL86IA162.txt.
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