Airline pilot dies; co-pilot safely lands

Associated Press

SYRACUSE, N.Y.

An American Airlines captain became gravely ill and incapacitated while flying from Phoenix to Boston and later died, but his first officer safely diverted and landed the nearly 150-passenger plane, an airline spokeswoman said.

Passengers on the flight were told the pilot was sick and it was making an emergency landing in Syracuse, and they later learned of his death in a scenario that’s rare but not unheard of: Seven pilots for U.S. airlines and one charter pilot have died during flights since 1994, the Federal Aviation Administration says.

American Flight 550 left Phoenix at 11:55 p.m. local time Sunday and was diverted midflight, landing shortly after 7 a.m. EDT, American spokeswoman Andrea Huguely said. After the captain was stricken, the first officer took over with 147 passengers and five crew members onboard.

“American 550. Medical emergency. Captain is incapacitated,” the first officer calmly told the Syracuse airport tower, requesting a runway to land.

In a recording of his exchange with the tower, he expresses concern over whether ambulance medics can get on the plane quickly. He is assured they can and is told to go into a gate where the medics would meet the plane.

Details of the medical emergency and the identity of the dead pilot weren’t immediately released, and the airline wouldn’t say when the death occurred.

“We are incredibly saddened by this event, and we are focused on caring for our pilot’s family and colleagues,” the Fort Worth, Texas-based airline said.

A replacement crew was sent to Syracuse, and the plane, an Airbus A320, landed in Boston at 12:30 p.m.

Aviation experts said there was never any danger to passengers because pilots and co-pilots are equally capable of flying.