On a recent flight from Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) to Doha’s Hamad International Airport (DOH), an off-duty pilot for Qatar Airways tragically lost his life. The 51-year-old pilot was traveling as a passenger on Flight QR579, which departed Delhi at 03:41 local time on August 16, 2023. Sadly, he fell critically ill during the flight, and despite immediate medical assistance, he could not be revived.
The Airbus A350 aircraft diverted to Dubai International Airport (DXB) due to a medical emergency just 30 minutes prior to landing. The flight remained on the ground at DXB airport for about an hour before continuing on to Doha.
According to The Times of India, the pilot had a long and respected career in aviation. He worked with Allegiance Air and operated SpiceJet’s inaugural flight on May 23, 2005, from DEL Airport to Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD). After spending 17 years with SpiceJet, he moved to work for Qatar Airways in 2022.
The Struggles of Pilots: Fatigue and Health Concerns
This incident marks the third in less than a week of a pilot dying. On August 14, 2023, a pilot from LATAM died while on a flight from Miami International Airport (MIA) to Santiago de Chile Airport (SCL). On August 17, 2023, an IndiGo pilot collapsed and died at the boarding gate moments prior to operating a flight to Nagpur.
These tragedies bring attention to the many factors that contribute to fatigue among pilots. Pilots do not have regular rest time, which often interrupts their circadian rhythms. This internal biological clock regulates sleepiness and wakefulness throughout the day, with peak times for rest occurring between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., and in the afternoon between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Waking during these times often results in sleep inertia, a feeling of grogginess.
The inconsistency in a pilot’s schedule also contributes to fatigue. A pilot may have late arrivals followed by early departures, and this shift between late-night and early-morning work presents a challenge. Additionally, pilots must adjust to multiple hotel rooms during a trip, each with its own challenges to sleep.
The loss of the off-duty Qatar Airways pilot is a somber reminder of the challenges and risks that pilots face. The aviation community mourns the loss of a respected colleague, and this incident serves as a call to action to address the health and well-being of those who navigate our skies.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
