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American Airlines pilot dies mid-flight American Airlines pilot dies during flight from Phoenix to Boston
(35 minutes later)
An American Airlines pilot died mid-flight on Monday while flying from Boston to Phoenix, according to airline officials. An American Airlines pilot died mid-flight on Monday while flying from Phoenix to Boston, according to airline officials.
“Unfortunately, our pilot passed away. We are incredibly saddened by this event, and we are focused on caring for our pilot’s family and colleagues,” an American Airlines spokesperson told the Guardian.“Unfortunately, our pilot passed away. We are incredibly saddened by this event, and we are focused on caring for our pilot’s family and colleagues,” an American Airlines spokesperson told the Guardian.
Flight 550 was diverted to Syracuse Hancock international airport and the plane was landed safely by the co-pilot. There were 147 passengers and a crew of five aboard the Airbus A320. Flight 550 was diverted to Syracuse Hancock international airport and the plane was landed safely shortly after 7am EDT by the co-pilot, after the pilot became ill.
According to ABC, communications with air traffic control show someone saying “captain is incapacitated” and “pilot is unresponsive, not breathing”. ABC reported that one of the flight attendants was also a nurse and tried to assist the sick pilot. American Airlines could not confirm this. There were 147 passengers and a crew of five aboard the Airbus A320.
The pilot’s illness has not been disclosed. Andrea Huguely, a spokeswoman for the airline, said a replacement crew was sent to Syracuse and the plane later completed its trip to Boston.
The flight left Phoenix at 11:55pm local time and landed in Syracuse at 7:13am local time. A replacement crew was sent to Syracuse to transport the passengers to Boston, according to an airline representative. Before the flight landed at Syracuse, the first officer called the airport tower and said in a calm voice, “American 550. Medical emergency. Captain is incapacitated.” He requested a runway to land.
In a recording of his exchange with the tower, the officer expresses concern whether ambulance medics can get on the plane quickly. He is assured that they can, and is told to go into a gate where the medics would meet the plane.
The pilot’s medical emergency and identity has not been disclosed.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.