American pilot dies during flight
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American Airlines AA550 pilot Michael Johnston succumbs during Phoenix to Boston flight
On Monday, Captain Michael Johnston, 57, was piloting an American Airlines commercial flight between Phoenix and Boston, when he suddenly fell ill. The captain died from what it seemed to be a fatal heart attack. The co-pilot took the lead and landed the passengers to safety, as the plane was diverted to Syracuse, New York.
The crew members "took extraordinary care of Mike, each other and our customers. We couldn't be more proud of the teamwork this crew showed during an extremely difficult time", airline CEO Doug Parker declared about the unfortunate incident.
The captain suffered a double bypass surgery in 2006, according to pilot's wife statement. Medical examiner's office in Onondaga County, New York,that performed the autopsy and toxicology tests "showed that the death was the result of natural diseases", without detailing the specific cause of death.
Air traffic controller received cockpit message from co-pilot, at the time of event: "Medical emergency, captain is incapacitated. Request handling for runway."
As the passengers waited for the body to be taken by the authorities, the flight to Boston was delayed for about five hours. Nevertheless, the passengers expressed their sadness about the captain's death and thanked the co-pilot for the safe landing.
"If it wasn't for the copilot using a cool head," passenger Peter McSwiggin said, "it might have been more disastrous."
On Monday, Captain Michael Johnston, 57, was piloting an American Airlines commercial flight between Phoenix and Boston, when he suddenly fell ill. The captain died from what it seemed to be a fatal heart attack. The co-pilot took the lead and landed the passengers to safety, as the plane was diverted to Syracuse, New York.
The crew members "took extraordinary care of Mike, each other and our customers. We couldn't be more proud of the teamwork this crew showed during an extremely difficult time", airline CEO Doug Parker declared about the unfortunate incident.
The captain suffered a double bypass surgery in 2006, according to pilot's wife statement. Medical examiner's office in Onondaga County, New York,that performed the autopsy and toxicology tests "showed that the death was the result of natural diseases", without detailing the specific cause of death.
Air traffic controller received cockpit message from co-pilot, at the time of event: "Medical emergency, captain is incapacitated. Request handling for runway."
As the passengers waited for the body to be taken by the authorities, the flight to Boston was delayed for about five hours. Nevertheless, the passengers expressed their sadness about the captain's death and thanked the co-pilot for the safe landing.
"If it wasn't for the copilot using a cool head," passenger Peter McSwiggin said, "it might have been more disastrous."
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