Author Topic: Pilot dies mid-flight.... (Read 386 times)

Mustaine · « **on:** January 21, 2007, 10:38:56 AM »

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070121/ap_on_re_us/pilot_dies

whoa, kind of spooky if you were the co-pilot huh? great job on the co-pilot staying focused, and landing the plane. to him, and the the passed pilots family / friends.

I wonder what it was? I'm guessing a heart attack.

full text:
Quote
McALLEN, Texas - The pilot of a Continental Airlines flight became ill after takeoff and was later pronounced dead after the plane made an emergency landing Saturday, a company spokeswoman said.

The 210 passengers on the flight, which departed from Houston, were never in danger and the co-pilot landed the plane safely, Continental spokeswoman Macky Osorio said.

The airline said only that the pilot suffered a "serious medical problem." Continental believes the pilot died of natural causes, Osorio said. The pilot's name was not released.

The flight, bound for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, took off from Houston's
George Bush Intercontinental Airport and was diverted to McAllen-Miller International Airport. The flight continued to Mexico with a new crew, Osorio said.

festus · « **Reply #1 on:** January 21, 2007, 11:16:04 AM »

"The airline said only that the pilot suffered a "serious medical problem." Continental believes the pilot died of natural causes, Osorio said. The pilot's name was not released."

Well that just about covers all causes of death, eh. I bet he had either a heart attack, a stroke, or a pulmonary embolus. I wonder how old he was. I have also heard of the rare seizure in the cockpit as well.

Halo · « **Reply #2 on:** January 21, 2007, 12:20:02 PM »

Land, take away the dead pilot, then on to Mexico with a new crew. Life goes on. Could be a scene from one of the periodic travels across America movies.

Wonder what the diversion annoucements to the passengers said? Classic challenge of wanting to be candid with the customers but not upset them either. Probably something like "We'll be diverting briefly to X because of a medical problem and then continuing to our destination. Please remain seated as we will resume our flight shortly."

Condolences to the family and crew.

Toad · « **Reply #3 on:** January 21, 2007, 12:22:51 PM »

First step in this situation was to get out your seniority list and cross the Captain off and decrease your number by one.

Then call the F/A up to the cockpit and tell him/her to "get that SOB outta my seat".

cav58d · « **Reply #4 on:** January 21, 2007, 12:50:15 PM »

Toad...You are as$hole....Do you know that?

From what I am getting from friends, the crew was Captain/Captain. The "FO" would not have had any problems with experience, but without saying, he had a much heavier load to handle himself.

Whether a formal annoucement was made over the com to px, or if it was discreet through FA's, quit a few MD's and nurses were on board the flight, which unsucessfully administered CPR.

Terrible Story with a terrible outcome, but an outcome that could have been much worse. ~~2 all crew and px who helped out in this emergency.~~

Golfer · « **Reply #5 on:** January 21, 2007, 12:53:28 PM »

Cav pull your head out of your butt.

That joke's been around for as long as seniority lists.

cav58d · « **Reply #6 on:** January 21, 2007, 12:58:26 PM »

golfer - forgot to add my emoti-con when posting. I did find that maybe 1/16th funny. lol

changed

LLv34 Jarsci · « **Reply #7 on:** January 21, 2007, 01:47:12 PM »

...they probably announced that "due ATC restrictions we have been diverted...."

Maverick · « **Reply #8 on:** January 21, 2007, 03:34:31 PM »

Toad, That was cold..... but funny as all get out!