HYPOXIA IN THE HORNET

摘要

An FA-18B pilot flying at high altitude experienced hypoxia after 30 minutes in flight. The aviator (flying in the rear cockpit) experienced disorientation, tingling, discolored skin, and extreme fatigue. He told the other pilot they needed to descend, and they headed down. After a few minutes at 8,000 feet, the pilot's symptoms subsided, and they uneventfully returned to base. All effects of the hypoxic experience were gone in 10 to 15 minutes on deck. Here's the kicker: The pilot had on his mask the whole time, and the cabin altitude was between 14,000 and 18,000 feet. What was the cause? If you said "contaminated LOX," you'd be wrong. The cause was a leaking oxygen valve in the rear cockpit. The faulty valve had drawn cabin air into the pilot's hose and significantly reduced the delivery pressure. Also, the pilot's personal mask was changed out before the flight because of a comm problem; the mask he used didn't fit him as well.