Co-pilot passes out, flight diverted

The co-pilot took the lead and landed the passengers to safety, as the plane was diverted to Syracuse, New York. In a recording of his exchange with the tower, he expressed concern over whether ambulance medics could get on the plane quickly. Jiron had no details about the co-pilot’s condition or what may have caused the episode.

An airline statement said: “The crew followed procedures and the aircraft landed safely”.

“They said that the pilot was really sick, and that was it”, Julia House said”.

Johnston, 57, joined America West Airlines in January 1990, Chief Executive Officer Doug Parker told American employees in a message.

“American 550. Medical emergency. Request handling for runway, one-zero landing”.

The passengers re-boarded and the flight took off for San Francisco around noon. There are two pilots in the cockpit. McCarron said what happened in the skies this week is extremely rare.

While the incapacitation of a pilot during flight could raise concern among uneasy fliers, the captain and first officer are each capable of flying commercial airliners alone.

His wife says he loved everything about his job and is happy he passed doing something he was passionate about. “The pilot’s not feeling well, ‘” said Michael Litterio.

Passengers saluted the co-pilot for safely landing the plane. “The co-pilot is fully qualified to fly the airplane”. The flight continued on its way after a replacement crew member arrived.

Modern airliners are capable of largely flying themselves.