CV 580
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 51.4; Flight Crew Total 4528; Flight Crew Type 3120
Physiological - Other
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Diverted; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors
While climbing through approximately 17;000 FT recognized hypoxia symptoms; donned oxygen masks and commenced descent and returned to departure airport for an uneventful landing. During the flight portion; inability of flight crew member to perform normal duties occurred as well as navigational and altitude deviations.
While climbing to assigned altitude of 22;000 FT; around 17;000 FT MSL I realized I was getting symptoms of hypoxia and donned the oxygen mask. From there we descended and landed back at the departure airport for an uneventful landing. During the flight portion; inability of flight crew member to perform normal duties occurred as well as navigation and altitude deviations.
CV580 flight crew experiences hypoxia symptoms climbing through 17;000 FT; dons oxygen masks and returns to departure airport.