BUCHAREST- TAROM Airlines (RO) and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) were involved in a serious in-flight incident on a Boeing 737 operating to Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP). The event highlights the operational risks linked to pilot fatigue.
The co-pilot, Cezar Osiceanu, admitted to having no sleep before duty. His condition worsened mid-flight, leading to a medical emergency and regulatory investigation.
TAROM 737 Pilot Collapsed Mid-Flight
A return service operated by TAROM (RO) from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) to Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP) experienced a critical cockpit event involving a 57 year old co-pilot.
On the earlier outbound flight from Bucharest to Amsterdam, the co-pilot reported feeling unwell.
He informed the captain that he was fit to operate but would avoid using the flight controls as a precaution. Despite this condition, he proceeded with the return sector.
Approximately 50 minutes after departure from Amsterdam, his health began to deteriorate further.
Around 2 hours and 40 minutes into the flight, he lost consciousness in the cockpit. The captain immediately declared an emergency and requested medical assistance upon arrival.
After landing in Bucharest, emergency medical teams boarded the aircraft through the front doors to access the cockpit quickly. The 87 passengers onboard were instructed to disembark using the rear stairs. It remains unclear how much information was shared with passengers during the event.
According to the Civil Aviation Safety Investigation and Analysis Authority, the incident was formally classified as serious due to the direct safety implications.
Reported by Simple Flying, the findings underline fatigue as a key contributing factor.
At the time of the incident, TAROM operated an early morning departure from Bucharest at 6:00 AM, arriving in Amsterdam at 8:05 AM, followed by a return flight approximately 1 hour later. This tight turnaround structure reflects operational intensity.
The current schedule has since evolved into a double-daily service using Boeing 737-800 aircraft:
| Flight # | From | To | Departure Time | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RO361 | Bucharest (OTP) | Amsterdam (AMS) | 8:35 AM | 10:40 AM |
| RO363 | Bucharest (OTP) | Amsterdam (AMS) | 4:50 PM | 6:55 PM |
| RO362 | Amsterdam (AMS) | Bucharest (OTP) | 11:40 AM | 3:25 PM |
| RO364 | Amsterdam (AMS) | Bucharest (OTP) | 8:00 PM | 11:45 PM |
Investigation Findings and Contributing Factors
The investigation confirmed that the co-pilot had not slept the night before operating the flight. This lack of rest significantly impaired his condition during duty.
As per reports from Observator News, Romania, the co-pilot was identified as Cezar Osiceanu.
He had previously spoken about demanding working conditions in an interview on the Romanian television program “În premiereă,” where he highlighted scheduling pressures faced by flight crew.
These details indicate that fatigue was not an isolated issue but linked to broader operational demands.
Safety Measures and Fleet Deployment
Following internal and external investigations, TAROM introduced specific operational restrictions:
- The co-pilot is temporarily restricted from flying without direct captain oversight
- Assigned flight sectors are limited to a maximum of two hours
- Night flight duties are suspended
- The co-pilot will not be paired with the same captain involved in the incident
These measures aim to reduce fatigue exposure and improve flight safety standards.
TAROM was founded in 1920 as CFRNA and began operating under its current name in September 1954. The airline remains majority owned by the Romanian government and is a member of the SkyTeam alliance.
The carrier currently operates a fleet that includes the Boeing 737-800 and is expected to receive its first Boeing 737 MAX 8, which is planned for deployment on routes such as Amsterdam.
Aviation Safety and Fatigue Management
This incident highlights the importance of strict adherence to pilot rest requirements. Fatigue directly impacts cognitive performance, reaction time, and decision-making in critical flight operations.
Regulators and airlines must ensure effective fatigue risk management systems. Monitoring crew health, enforcing rest compliance, and addressing scheduling pressures are essential to maintaining aviation safety.
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