DUBLIN- A Ryanair (FR) Boeing 737-800 (B738), registration EI-DPJ, operating flight RYR9HV / FR2682 from Bergamo Orio al Serio International Airport (BGY), Italy, to Cluj-Napoca International Airport (CLJ), Romania, declared an in-flight emergency after the first officer became unwell during descent.

The captain first issued a PAN-PAN call, escalating to MAYDAY as the first officer lost consciousness. The aircraft landed safely at Cluj-Napoca (CLJ), where medical teams met the flight. The first officer was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Ryanair Pilot Incapacitated

According to air traffic control (ATC) communication logs, the flight crew of Ryanair flight FR2682 reported that the first officer was feeling unwell while descending toward Cluj-Napoca. Shortly after, the captain declared PAN-PAN—an international radio call used to indicate an urgent but not immediately life-threatening situation.

As the situation worsened, the first officer became unresponsive, prompting the captain to upgrade the emergency to MAYDAY, signaling full pilot incapacitation. The captain requested medical assistance on arrival and proceeded with the landing under challenging circumstances.

Runway 25 at Cluj-Napoca International Airport was kept clear for the aircraft’s priority landing.

After touchdown, the captain brought the aircraft to a stop on the runway, shut down both engines, and awaited emergency responders. Airport fire and medical teams reached the aircraft shortly after, attending to the unconscious first officer.

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ATC Coordination and Ground Response

Air traffic control maintained calm and steady communication throughout the incident. ATC cleared the flight to land immediately, ensured medical teams were on standby, and coordinated ground support to secure the aircraft and assist the crew.

The first officer regained consciousness about five minutes after landing but remained weak. After receiving on-site medical attention, she was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital for further evaluation.

The aircraft, which had stopped on the runway for around 50 minutes, was later towed to the apron, where passengers were disembarked safely.

Ryanair Pilot and ATC Comms

Here’s a detailed transcript of the conversation between the Ryanair Pilot and ATC as flagged by You Can See ATC:

{ts:22}
[Ambience, initial radio chatter] hotel [Music]

{ts:32}
Pilot: Actually at the moment, first officer feeling unwell. Um, at the moment be, um, I stand by for Mayday but we…

{ts:47}
Pilot: Okay, declaring a (Pan Pan) at the moment, 9 hotel, pilot incapacitation.

{ts:76}
ATC: Right, 9 Hotel Victor, hello, the wind 2-0 degrees, 3 knots. Runway 25, cleared to land.

{ts:86}
Pilot: Runway 25, straight to land. Mayday, pilot incapacitation.
ATC: Roger. Intention?

{ts:95}
Pilot: Land, medical services on arrival. Do you want to stop us on the runway?

{ts:102}
ATC: Victor, stay firm. The medical services will be waiting for you at the holding. Victor, would you come in the front door, please?

{ts:115}
Pilot: We stop on the runway and I shut down the engines and um and then I’ll let you know when the fire service is going to approach.

{ts:120}
ATC: Roger, the front door. The first officer incapacitated.

{ts:129}
Pilot: Roger. Stop on the runway and um I’ll shut down. Advise, please, when the medical services are here.

{ts:147}
ATC: Hotel Victor, the medical services are on their way.

{ts:155}
Pilot: Okay, advise. Um, did you turn off the engine?

{ts:168}
ATC: I see Ryanair on the runway.
Pilot: We’re shutting down the engines at the moment and I’ll advise you when we open the door.

{ts:174}
ATC: Victor, Roger, the marshaller is now right on the left side coming up in front of the aircraft.

{ts:182}
ATC: Okay, Hotel Victor, affirm. We’ll also advise the marshaller to assist you in turning off the engine.

{ts:194}
Pilot: Okay. Please, as soon as we open the L1 door, can we send in the medics, please?
ATC: Roger.

{ts:204}
Pilot: Thank you for your help. We’re opening the L1 door now.
ATC: He’s unconscious. Roger, at the moment. And we have checked at the moment by the medical service. I’ll keep you updated.

{ts:223}
Pilot: Hotel Victor, thank you so much, highly appreciate it. Let us know your further intentions.
ATC: Thank you.

{ts:228}
Pilot: Okay, we need to take her out first and then we can see where we go.

{ts:235}
ATC: Roger. Update for you, she came back and is conscious but is still weak. The ambulance arrives in 2 minutes. We’ll try and wait for a bit, then we’ll try to get her off the plane.

{ts:243}
ATC: Hotel Victor, the ambulance is now proceeding on Alpha. He’ll be at your position as soon as possible.
Pilot: Thank you, Hotel Victor.

{ts:267}
ATC: 9 Hotel.
Pilot: Yes, sir. Thank you for your patience. She is in the ambulance now. The ambulance takes care of her. What we’re planning to do is get the push-back to a parking position to get the passengers off. Is that okay for you?

{ts:280}
ATC: Hotel Victor, affirm. We’ve also coordinated with the airport commander. You’ll be pushed back or pulled onto stand 10 in order to disembark the passengers.

{ts:297}
Pilot: Okay, I’ll call you back when ready.
ATC: Roger that. No worries.

{ts:303}
ATC: Do you have any information about the first officer? Is he alright?
Pilot: Yeah, she’s okay. She’s weak, but she came back. She was completely unconscious, and she came back approximately 5 minutes after landing.

{ts:315}
ATC: Roger that, that’s good news. Thank you.

Pilot incapacitations, while rare, are managed under strict aviation safety protocols. Airlines train captains and crew to respond swiftly in such cases, ensuring aircraft safety and effective communication with ATC.

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