Narrative:

My wife and I were cruising at 16;000 feet; using O2 with cannulas. Because of an aircraft crash [nearby]; the controller directed us to enter holding; maintaining 16;000 feet. Entering holding was routine; I started calculating how long I could remain in holding before diverting (approximately one hour); and I selected [a] potential diversion field. My wife noticed that our O2 was no longer flowing from the portable bottle. I did some troubleshooting and discovered that we were out of oxygen. I notified the controller that we were out of oxygen; we needed an immediate descent to below 14;000; and we needed to divert. The controller authorized a descent to 15;000 feet and cleared me direct to [a diversion airport]. I was having difficulty loading any approach into my avionics and even finding the approach plate. My flight path was erratic; but the controller did not mention anything due to his workload. Looking back on my performance; I was clearly hypoxic. I again mentioned that I needed to get below 14;000 as soon as possible. I wanted to maintain my then current heading; and turn right to intercept the localizer; but that was not the published approach. The controller gave me vectors that mimicked the approach and I succeeded in intercepting the ILS and eventually landed.pilots who suspect that they might be hypoxic should declare an emergency immediately; but; hypoxic pilots often do not recognize that they are hypoxic. When a pilot flies erratically; is not abiding by published procedures; or is not communicating well; the controller should declare the emergency and get the aircraft below 14;000 feet or on the ground as soon as possible.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: SR-22 pilot reported he became hypoxic when his oxygen bottle emptied at 16;000 feet.

Narrative: My wife and I were cruising at 16;000 feet; using O2 with cannulas. Because of an aircraft crash [nearby]; the Controller directed us to enter holding; maintaining 16;000 feet. Entering holding was routine; I started calculating how long I could remain in holding before diverting (approximately one hour); and I selected [a] potential diversion field. My wife noticed that our O2 was no longer flowing from the portable bottle. I did some troubleshooting and discovered that we were out of oxygen. I notified the Controller that we were out of oxygen; we needed an immediate descent to below 14;000; and we needed to divert. The Controller authorized a descent to 15;000 feet and cleared me direct to [a diversion airport]. I was having difficulty loading any approach into my avionics and even finding the approach plate. My flight path was erratic; but the Controller did not mention anything due to his workload. Looking back on my performance; I was clearly hypoxic. I again mentioned that I needed to get below 14;000 as soon as possible. I wanted to maintain my then current heading; and turn right to intercept the localizer; but that was not the published approach. The Controller gave me vectors that mimicked the approach and I succeeded in intercepting the ILS and eventually landed.Pilots who suspect that they might be hypoxic should declare an emergency immediately; but; hypoxic pilots often do not recognize that they are hypoxic. When a pilot flies erratically; is not abiding by published procedures; or is not communicating well; the Controller should declare the emergency and get the aircraft below 14;000 feet or on the ground ASAP.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.