B777-200
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Total 10
Physiological - Other; Workload; Distraction; Confusion
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Human Factors
At LFPG; everything appeared normal until we showed at the gate. The Captain asked where Operations was so he could get paperwork. Gate personnel informed the Captain it would be brought to the aircraft. We were delayed in the gate area while the security check was being accomplished which put us a little behind. When we got to the flight deck the Captain appeared agitated and started rushing the pre-flight. As we continued the pre-flight; the Captain commented we were missing the NAT track message and said he was going to Operations to get the missing item. However; we were not missing the track message. It was with the delivered paperwork. The Captain left the flight deck about 35-40 minutes prior to pushback and did not return until departure time. Our airport operations page at LFPG states the crew will contact Clearance Delivery 10 minutes prior for clearance and start up approval. We missed that window because the Relief Pilot and I thought we should wait for the Captain before we got the clearance/start up approval. And; we weren't ready for departure due to the Captain's absence. Shortly before scheduled departure time the Gate Agent appeared and said he was ready and wanted to close the door; but we told him we couldn't depart because the Captain was still in Operations. The Captain finally returned at departure time. Bottom-line; we did not comply with the TOBT/TSAT procedures at LFPG. We were also a late departure. We later found out why the Captain spent so much time in Operations. The Captain told us after we were airborne the he was on the phone in Operations engaged in a lengthy discussion and disagreement with Operations over a potential security incident that occurred on our inbound flight the day before. After the Captain returned from Operations he appeared distracted. We had to stop the pushback because we got an ACARS message saying he forgot to sign the flight plan. Also; while we were holding short of the runway we started to creep backwards. Either he didn't set the brakes or hold enough toe pressure to prevent the backward movement. On departure the Captain readback an incorrect turn direction from the Departure. I corrected him and we turned in the correct direction. On climbout; around 17;000 feet; the Captain asked me if I had any aspirin. I said no. The Captain then stated he thought he was having a heart attack and needed an aspirin. He called the Lead Flight Attendant to see if she or another flight attendant had an aspirin. No crewmember had any aspirin. He informed the Lead Flight Attendant he thought he was having a heart attack and instructed her to open the Medical Kit to retrieve some aspirin. She stated that it was a sealed container and cannot be opened except for an actual medical emergency. The Captain directed her to open it anyway. The Relief Pilot was out of the flight deck on break during this exchange. I was flying the aircraft and for all practical purposes I was single pilot at this point. The Captain instructed the Relief Pilot to return to the flight deck. He came forward and the Captain informed him he thought he was having a heart attack and a flight attendant was getting him some aspirin from the Medical Kit to relieve the symptoms. The Captain asked the Relief Pilot to stay on the flight deck until things were straightened out. The Relief Pilot informed the Captain it was not his prerogative to self diagnosis a potentially life threatening medical condition. Either he was having a heart attack or he wasn't and; if so; let's get some proper medical help. The Captain advised he was told to take aspirin in the past to relieve similar symptoms. After taking the aspirin he could make a diagnosis. In the end; the Captain was responding to some verbal challenges and the Relief Pilot and I felt he was not an incapacitated crewmember nor was he having a heart attack. In my opinion; the Captain was very stressed and tense which created a physiological episode as well as an excessive distraction. The Captain received some aspirin from the Medical Kit and it seemed to calm him down. We continued and he performed in a satisfactory manner for the remainder of the flight. The rest of the flight was uneventful and the Medical Kit usage was written up in the Logbook. Was our Captain Fit for Duty? I'm writing this [report] because in my opinion his actions placed his crew in a position to violate policy and procedures by disregarding procedures at LFPG; created a late departure; commanded unauthorized use of the Medical Kit and had subsequent disregard for the policies/procedures that govern its application; and degraded the safety of passengers and crew by introducing multiple distractions due to his medical/physiological episode. Does our Captain need a company physical to determine if he has an actual medical condition that could jeopardize the safety of future flights?  He should have resolved the inbound passenger potential security problem from the previous flight before he signed in for our return flight. [I believe he] needs additional training on how to manage his time and emotions so he can effectively contribute to a safe and on time airline.
25 minutes after departure time; a hang dog looking/acting Captain; arrives in the cockpit. We begin the checklists.  We begin to push back and the Captain calls for brakes.  He has forgotten to sign the flight plan; and acknowledge he is 'fit for duty'. Almost immediately after that; he begins to chat about his phone conversation with Operations Control and how they aren't supporting his decisions from the day prior in regards to a passenger incident. Before I can say 'let's focus on today's flight' (as I can see he is occupied with this distraction) the Captain says; 'We will chat about it later in flight.' But he is completely distracted. Completely unfit for duty; as he is disoriented on taxiing; and taxi directions. I stepped back to go on my break; and the flight attendants are worried about breaking regulations. I suggest; they tell the Captain; that it is against their regulations. They offer up Advil; which I say should be fine. I sit down for my crew break; only to have another Flight Attendant approach me and discreetly inform me the Captain says he is having chest pains. I hopped up; grabbed the intercom; and asked him; 'Are you having chest pains?' He replies yes he is. I get him to open the cockpit door; and I see that the First Officer is single pilot; and in control of the radios; and flying; but doing well. I then; start to ask pointed questions. (I felt he was some what crying wolf; and creating undo drama; but I needed to see if; in fact; this was a medical emergency or just a panic attack...some form of need for attention) Are you having chest pains? Yes; intermittently. Then let's divert medically. We have five hours across the Atlantic; and now is the time to divert not three hours from now; as that may be too late. He made the claim; that he was a First Responder; and needed aspirin as that was the first response thing for chest pains. I informed him he was not qualified as a doctor nor was he capable of self diagnosis.  I asserted at least three times that; if he was in fact having chest pains; we needed to divert. He made the decision that he was going to be OK and that instead of taking the break; at that time that he would be more relaxed; in the cockpit. In no way shape or form was he fit. He was incapacitated; mentally in some form. But he was focused that he was good enough to continue; and continue as PIC. I did my best to convince him otherwise.
Two First Officers reported strange behavior on the part of their Captain on an over water flight.