N581DS - July 30, 2009 - Pilot crashed, sounds like hypoxia w/ F-16s scrambled

[kea001]

Interesting discussion here:

"Im a center controller a N581DS came through going to Eagle Creek, IN. MSP center said pilot requested lower, the clearance was given and the pilot read it back but sounded very out of it and just not normal. The aircraft remained (and is still at FL250). A couple F16's were scrambled with no response from the SR-22. The plane has already passed its destination. Doesnt look good at this point. I have a picture of the aircrafts datablock with the F16's trailing it. I will post it later. Hope it all works out!!"
http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/4501757/


One Dead in Small Plane Crash Near Ravenswood
http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/52124202.html

Flightaware
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N581DS/history/20090730/2245Z/KJYR/KHEF/tracklog

[atcman23]

Wow that's really something.  And I know right where this plane crashed; took my flying lessons not too far away.  Crash is not very far from the HNN VOR and the Mason County Airport (WV).

[Robert Larson]

I know the SR22 has that parachute device. Does that never deploy automatically? Only pilot commanded?

[atcman23]

I believe the CAPS parachute is deployed manually only.  The one article listed above mentioned that rescuers were concerned about the parachute as it uses a small explosive to deploy and the parachute was not deployed.  If the pilot was hypoxic, he likely blacked out and would have not regained consciousness in enough time to deploy the parachute.

[Robert Larson]

So... does the industry need to figure out some sort of "dead man switch"?

[aevins]

Here's the FAA's account:

https://employees.faa.gov/org/linebusiness/ato/news/features/story/index.cfm?newsId=59136

[kea001]

So... does the industry need to figure out some sort of "dead man switch"?

If he died because of lack of oxygen due to a pressurization problem,  a simple $150 blood oxygen meter could have saved this man's life. If an alarm was triggered when the meter goes below 90%, he would still have had the presence of mind to react accordingly.
http://www.amperordirect.com/pc/c-pulse-oximeter/choice-mmed-finger-oximeter-md300c3.html?gclid=CP3C04bCkpwCFQ9JagodaE9yeQ

The other thing is he may have suffered a stroke, heart attack or blocked artery which in itself produces hypoxia and could lead to the same symptoms he evidently displayed but he may or may not have been able to react to an alarm.


Needless to say, there doesn't seem to be a lot of demand for blood oxygen monitors in small planes.

US Patent 5372134 - Aviation hypoxia monitor -  US Patent Issued on December 13, 1994
http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/5372134/description.html

Although the following outlines ways to recognize hypoxia (1st article) , some have found in simulations that they are unable to recognize the symptoms (2nd article).

TP 185 - Aviation Safety Letter - Transport Canada
http://www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/publications/tp185/4-07/medexam.htm

Real Hypoxia Training at FlightSafety
http://www.flyingmag.com/leftseat/641/real-hypoxia-training-at-flightsafety-page2.html