Heavy Transport; Low Wing; 4 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Physiological - Other
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Other / Unknown; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Human Factors
The flight was planned as a two-leg trip. There were 4 planned crewmembers; but one was an FO (First Officer) on IOE with a Check Airman so effectively we were a 3-person crew. The aircraft arrived over 24 hours behind schedule due to previous rolling delays and the APU had been deferred for at least a couple of days. The forecast temperature at OTBH was 40+ degrees C. We were concerned about keeping ourselves and the avionics cool without an APU; but the Captain contacted the company and we were assured there was a Ground Conditioned Air cart available upon landing so we agreed to go. The flight to OTBH was uneventful.At OTBH we were parked on taxiway F1 because we were carrying hot cargo. Taxiway F1 isn't within walking distance of any air conditioned facilities. We immediately put sunshades in the windows after shut down and the on-board mechanic connected and started the Ground Conditioned Air cart. However; the temperature in the airplane rose within 20 minutes to 38C (100F). It was clear the conditioned air cart wasn't pumping cold air so the mechanic checked on it but found nothing wrong. The Captain and FO got a ride into Operations to get the new flight plan while I and the other Captain stayed on board. The planned ground time was only 1 hour but actual ground time was 3+11 and the temperature quickly rose to 41C (106F) within 45 minutes of block-in. I was drinking as much water as I could and probably drank 6x1.5L bottles during the ground stop in addition to 2 enroute. However; there were no electrolytes available to support that much water intake. By 1.5 hours after block-in; temperature in the aircraft was 45C (113F). It eventually got to 49C (120F) after about 2.5 hours. It is at about this point that my recollection of events becomes blurred.Despite drinking lots of water; I got a splitting headache and I felt a bit shaky. I suspect the lack of electrolytes prevented full absorption. I felt like I still had my full wits about me at the time; but on reflection now it is clear that I didn't. At one point; I noticed I stopped sweating and I remember being a bit fascinated that my undershirt had completely dried up. Knowing this was serious I mentioned it to the crew. I knew I was reaching my limit and needed to get to cooler conditions quickly. We had been delayed getting fuel but were just now getting it and should have been able to start shortly. I agreed to wait what should have been about 5 minutes. Then I remember some kind of difficulty finding people to man all the equipment but I don't remember specifics. I also remember something about the ground power unit shutting down. 5 minutes became; I think; maybe 45 minutes. I don't remember much else other than at some point I was sitting in the back with the engines were running and things were starting to slowly cool down but I started feeling nauseous. At some point after getting airborne I vomited in the lavatory. The next thing I remember is being awoken because it was time to get off the airplane. I remember going to the limo but I don't remember the ride to the hotel. I remember checking in and going directly to bed. I had been scheduled to commercial to Kuwait 25 hours after arriving. I slept all the way past the flight departure time. In other words; I slept over 24 hours. I woke up dazed and confused and had to call scheduling to confirm that I was; in fact; missing my commercial flight because I couldn't believe I could have slept that long. I also spoke with the pilot on duty and decided it was best to call in fatigued at that point. My confusion and inability to concentrate continued for several more hours. I seem ok now. At this point; it is clear to me that this situation was far more serious than I realized at the time.
First Officer of a large passenger turbojet reported suffering heat exhaustion during a stop over at OTBH.