High And Dry

Have you encountered a situation or hazardous condition that yielded lessons on how to better manage the risks involved in flying? Do you have an experience to share with Aviation Safetys readers about an occasion that taught you something significant about ways to conduct safer flight operations? If so, we want to hear about it. We encourage you to submit a brief (500 words) write-up of your Learning Experience to Aviation Safety for possible publication. Each month, Aviation Safety publishes a collection of similar experiences sent to us by readers. Sharing with others the benefit of your experience and the lessons you learned can be an invaluable aid to other pilots.

Editorial Staff

Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Wheels Up leverages the Cessna Citation Excel/XLS as a key part of its fleet. Wheels Up

Key Takeaways:

A pilot flying at FL230 experienced severe hypoxia after their primary oxygen cylinder ran out and the backup system was unusable due to a detached regulator requiring a tool not on board.
Recognizing the critical danger despite impaired cognitive function, the pilot initiated an emergency descent, recovering at 8000 feet and averting a potential disaster.
The incident highlighted the crucial importance of ensuring fully functional oxygen systems, conducting thorough pre-flight checks of backup equipment, and the invaluable role of hypoxia training for high-altitude operations.

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Several years ago, I made plans for one of my frequent weekend trips in my Beechcraft B36TC Bonanza from the Texas Panhandle to visit friends in California. My usual plan was to stop for fuel in Page, Ariz., on both legs. However, with a helpful jet stream, and the turbocharged Bonanza’s ability to cruise in the flight levels, I often made the trip home non-stop.

This particular Friday, work delayed my departure. When I finally arrived at the airport, the plane was ready but the onboard oxygen cylinder was not fully pressurized. I didn’t want to get an even later start by waiting for a refill and my backup portable oxygen tank had been filled the day before. So I took off, arriving for a late dinner with friends.