Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 265; Flight Crew Total 15000; Flight Crew Type 3000
Physiological - Other
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors
On climb out with First Officer flying at approximately 17;000 FT; we received ECAM; Air Engine 1 Bleed Fault. ECAM procedures followed immediately. After completion of ECAM procedures and as follow up with FM was started; both pilots noticed an increase in heat in the cockpit and hypoxia type symptoms. Both pilots' donned oxygen masks; emergency declared; descent initiated; and return to [departure airport]. I looked at pressurization initially when ECAM occurred and I did not notice any abnormalities with pressure. The only abnormal indication was an elevated (300 C) temperature and amber warning on Engine 1 Bleed Air. All valves in system reacted as expected and no further incidents reported. Neither flight attendants nor passengers reported any symptoms. Overweight landing procedure followed. After completion of flight; both pilots still felt physiological symptoms and both visited a medical facility; I was cleared to return to flight status with no restrictions.
During climb at approximately 17;000 FT got 'AIR-Eng 1 Bleed Fault' ECAM. Captain (as pilot not flying) performed ECAM procedure and then followed up with Flight Manual procedure. I turned on autopilot. Captain and I (within a couple of minutes) both started feeling hypoxic and both donned O2 masks. Captain got descent clearance to 10;000 FT and subsequently got clearance to return and declared and emergency; Captain also notified Dispatch; flight attendant crew and passengers of our return. Captain completed 'Overweight Landing' checklist. Landed and taxied to gate without further incident; completed Maintenance reports for AIR Eng 1 Bleed Fault and overweight landing. During taxi to gate; flight attendants said that no passengers complained of feeling ill. After gate arrival both Captain and I still felt crummy from hypoxic event.
A319 flight crew reports Air Engine 1 Bleed Fault during climb and compliance with ECAM actions. Both pilots notice increased heat in the cockpit and begin to feel hypoxia-like symptoms although cabin pressure is apparently normal. Oxygen masks are donned; an emergency is declared; and flight returns to departure airport.