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A general aviation pilot reported symptoms of hypoxia due to smoke from widespread fires in northern california led to a diversion.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1480174 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201709 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | NCT.TRACON |
| State Reference | CA |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Dusk |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Small Aircraft Low Wing 1 Eng Fixed Gear |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Route In Use | Direct |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Flying Single Pilot |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Private Flight Crew Instrument |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 15 Flight Crew Total 205 Flight Crew Type 15 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness |
Narrative:
I was climbing out of approximately 6;500 feet when I started to notice the smell of a wildfire. I surveyed the area and did not see any wildfires in the immediate vicinity. A short time later; I started recognizing the symptoms of hypoxia; namely confusion; short-term memory loss; shortness of breath and blurred vision. At this point; we were nearing our assigned altitude of 9;000 MSL. I immediately requested lower and was assigned 7;000. During our descent; I started planning a diversion to a VFR field. It was at this point that I should have notified ATC of my symptoms; but for reasons that are still unknown; I did not inform them of the exact circumstances surrounding my diversion. Norcal approach and oakland center were incredibly accommodating with my requests for lower altitude. The flight ended uneventfully at [an alternate airport] and we continued the rest of the journey the following day.during my debrief; I hypothesized that the onset of hypoxia was accelerated by the ambient smoke in the air. I also hypothesized that given the wind direction; this smoke was likely from the many wildfires burning in the [mountains]. Perhaps a wildfire area should be added to the standard weather briefing. For pilots of non-pressurized aircraft; smoke in the air lowers the altitude where pilots will start suffering from hypoxia. I realize that the standard weather briefing is extremely lengthy as it is; but hypoxia is a serious issue and I think everything should be done to protect pilots from it.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: A general aviation pilot reported symptoms of hypoxia due to smoke from widespread fires in Northern California led to a diversion.
Narrative: I was climbing out of approximately 6;500 feet when I started to notice the smell of a wildfire. I surveyed the area and did not see any wildfires in the immediate vicinity. A short time later; I started recognizing the symptoms of hypoxia; namely confusion; short-term memory loss; shortness of breath and blurred vision. At this point; we were nearing our assigned altitude of 9;000 MSL. I immediately requested lower and was assigned 7;000. During our descent; I started planning a diversion to a VFR field. It was at this point that I should have notified ATC of my symptoms; but for reasons that are still unknown; I did not inform them of the exact circumstances surrounding my diversion. NorCal Approach and Oakland Center were incredibly accommodating with my requests for lower altitude. The flight ended uneventfully at [an alternate airport] and we continued the rest of the journey the following day.During my debrief; I hypothesized that the onset of hypoxia was accelerated by the ambient smoke in the air. I also hypothesized that given the wind direction; this smoke was likely from the many wildfires burning in the [mountains]. Perhaps a wildfire area should be added to the standard weather briefing. For pilots of non-pressurized aircraft; smoke in the air lowers the altitude where pilots will start suffering from hypoxia. I realize that the standard weather briefing is extremely lengthy as it is; but hypoxia is a serious issue and I think everything should be done to protect pilots from it.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.