Capt. Michael Johnston identified as American Airlines pilot who died from heart attack mid-flight
- 9 years ago
PHOENIX-- An American Airlines flight being operated by U.S. Airways left Phoenix around midnight Monday for Boston when the pilot experienced a medical emergency, forcing the plane to be diverted to Syracuse, New York.
The Airbus 320 was carrying 147 passengers and five crew members aboard Flight 550 at the time. The pilot reportedly suffered a heart attack mid-flight, leaving the co-pilot to take over the controls.
The pilot, 57-year-old Michael Johnston, was in good health and had been flying for over 25 years. Johnston's wife said she had been told that her husband had probably died from a heart attack.
"He has had problems with his heart," Johnston's wife, Betty Jean, tells 2News. "He seemed perfectly fine." Johnston had a double bypass surgery in 2006.
"American 550. Medical emergency. Captain is incapacitated," the first-officer called the air traffic controller, according to audio posted to LiveATC.net. "Request handling for runway."
Passengers on the flight experienced a quick descent and some turbulence before the crew announced the pilot was ill, reported BBC.
American Airline's website stated that Flight 550 made a rapid descent in Syracuse at 7:13 a.m. ET. The aircraft landed safely there, where firefighters responded to the medical emergency. However, the pilot reportedly died on the plane.
Airline pilots must pass physical exams every year while pilots who are 40 or older must pass them every six months.
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The Airbus 320 was carrying 147 passengers and five crew members aboard Flight 550 at the time. The pilot reportedly suffered a heart attack mid-flight, leaving the co-pilot to take over the controls.
The pilot, 57-year-old Michael Johnston, was in good health and had been flying for over 25 years. Johnston's wife said she had been told that her husband had probably died from a heart attack.
"He has had problems with his heart," Johnston's wife, Betty Jean, tells 2News. "He seemed perfectly fine." Johnston had a double bypass surgery in 2006.
"American 550. Medical emergency. Captain is incapacitated," the first-officer called the air traffic controller, according to audio posted to LiveATC.net. "Request handling for runway."
Passengers on the flight experienced a quick descent and some turbulence before the crew announced the pilot was ill, reported BBC.
American Airline's website stated that Flight 550 made a rapid descent in Syracuse at 7:13 a.m. ET. The aircraft landed safely there, where firefighters responded to the medical emergency. However, the pilot reportedly died on the plane.
Airline pilots must pass physical exams every year while pilots who are 40 or older must pass them every six months.
-------------------------------------------------------------
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Check out our Android app: http://bit.ly/1rddhCj
Check out our iOS app: http://bit.ly/1gO3z1f
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