Medium Large Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness; Workload
Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
During cruise over the Gulf of Mexico; my First Officer (FO) started experiencing symptoms of food poisoning; upset stomach; chills; vomiting etc. He went to the lavatory to take care of some of the symptoms; but when he returned; he did not feel any better. Fortunately he asked the flight attendants for some airsickness bags because he proceeded to vomit several times. As we approached AEX; it was apparent to me; he would be of little use as a crew member and we had a commuting captain in the back. I instructed the number one flight attendant to get him and have him report to the cockpit. My FO had vomited on the floor and seat on his side; so I left him in his seat and had the captain assist me from the jumpseat. He was invaluable in ensuring we complied with all restrictions and checklists. Between the two of them I had very good backup with a pilot observing. About 250 miles from DFW; the FO was vomiting again and I decided to get him on the ground. At that time; I [advised] ATC and requested direct to JIFFY. This was granted and we proceeded to DFW. As we approached Dallas; Regional Approach offered us 17R; which I accepted. We performed the visual to 17R and landed uneventfully. My FO was checked by EMT at the gate after we arrived and then went home. This seems; I'm sure; to be a strange emergency; however; my FO was not able to complete his duties up to his normal standard nor company standards due to his illness. [Advising ATC about] the emergency was the most expedient and best option to minimize the risk to our operation.
Approaching AEX on arrival to DFW. I became actively sick from food poisoning. I had 1 bout of diarrhea and 3 bouts of vomiting. I was still able to complete my pilot not flying duties as an first officer all the way to block-in; as I felt instantly better after each bout. We [advised] Ft. Worth Center and received priority for a landing on RWY 17R at DFW. Paramedics met us at the gate but I did not require their assistance. The captain called a commuting captain into the cockpit to function as safety observer for the arrival and landing.Don't eat the meatballs in Managua.
The First Officer became sick en route to DFW; the flight was expedited and landed uneventfully.