This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-34453146
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| American Airlines pilot died mid-flight from 'heart attack' | American Airlines pilot died mid-flight from 'heart attack' |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| The pilot who collapsed and died on an American Airlines overnight flight from Phoenix to Boston has been identified. | The pilot who collapsed and died on an American Airlines overnight flight from Phoenix to Boston has been identified. |
| Cpt Michael Johnston, 57, was flying the plane with 147 passengers and five crew on board when he "passed away while at work", the airline said. | Cpt Michael Johnston, 57, was flying the plane with 147 passengers and five crew on board when he "passed away while at work", the airline said. |
| The first officer took over and made an emergency landing in Syracuse. | The first officer took over and made an emergency landing in Syracuse. |
| Johnston's wife told local TV she had been told her husband had probably died of a heart attack. He had had double heart bypass surgery in 2006. | Johnston's wife told local TV she had been told her husband had probably died of a heart attack. He had had double heart bypass surgery in 2006. |
| Cpt Johnston had been flying as a first officer and then as a captain since 1990. | Cpt Johnston had been flying as a first officer and then as a captain since 1990. |
| Medics waiting on the tarmac pronounced him dead at the scene. | Medics waiting on the tarmac pronounced him dead at the scene. |
| Passengers on the flight said they had experienced a quick descent and some turbulence before hearing a member of the flight crew announce that the captain was unwell. | Passengers on the flight said they had experienced a quick descent and some turbulence before hearing a member of the flight crew announce that the captain was unwell. |
| They learned of his death on a later flight to Boston manned by a new crew. | They learned of his death on a later flight to Boston manned by a new crew. |
| American Airlines chairman Doug Parker said the airline "couldn't be more proud of the teamwork this crew showed during an extremely difficult time". | American Airlines chairman Doug Parker said the airline "couldn't be more proud of the teamwork this crew showed during an extremely difficult time". |
| Airline pilots must pass physical exams every 12 months - and every six months for captains who are 40 or older. | Airline pilots must pass physical exams every 12 months - and every six months for captains who are 40 or older. |
| Aviation experts said there was never any danger to passengers, because pilots and co-pilots were equally capable of flying. | Aviation experts said there was never any danger to passengers, because pilots and co-pilots were equally capable of flying. |
| Captains and co-pilots usually take turns flying and handling takeoffs and landings, said former airline pilot James Record, who teaches aviation at Dowling College in New York. | Captains and co-pilots usually take turns flying and handling takeoffs and landings, said former airline pilot James Record, who teaches aviation at Dowling College in New York. |
| Death in the cockpit | Death in the cockpit |