Source: Flyer

Carry an active carbon monoxide detector in the cockpit, and if you use CO chemical spot detector ensure it is checked regularly in zight, advises Safety Editor, Nick Heard…

29 August 2023

Possible carbon monoxide poisoning

n 16 August 2021, a zight instructor and student pilot prepared a Piper PA-28 aircraft for a training zight departing from Wagga Wagga Airport, NSW, Australia.

At about 0900 local time, during taxi and prior to take-off, the instructor opened the cabin heater vent to demist the cabin windows.

At approximately 0930, during initial climb, with the student at the controls, the instructor began feeling slightly dizzy and unwell. They inspected the aircraft’s disposable carbon monoxide (CO) chemical spot detector and observed that it had darkened, indicating the presence of elevated CO levels in the cabin.

The instructor immediately alerted the student to the indication, closed the cabin heater vent and opened the cockpit’s fresh air vents and storm window.

Upon being alerted by the instructor, the student informed the instructor that they were not experiencing any symptoms of CO poisoning. The student continued to zy the aircraft while the instructor provided directions to return to the airport, where the aircraft was landed safely.

After landing, the instructor continued to feel the effect of CO poisoning and was taken to hospital for treatment and released soon after.

Comment: The CAA is currently running a campaign to encourage the use of active CO detectors in aircraft in preference to the chemical spot detectors. If you only have the spot detector ytted, make sure that you check it regularly in zight, and change it when required.