An Air Canada Express flight from Newark to Halifax diverted to Boston after the captain suffered a medical emergency and was removed from the flight deck, leaving the first officer to land the aircraft safely.
Air Canada Flight Diverts To Boston After Captain Suffers Medical Emergency
An Air Canada Express flight operated by PAL Airlines diverted to Boston after the captain suffered a medical emergency shortly after departure from Newark.
Air Canada flight AC7664 was traveling from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) on Wednesday afternoon with 61 passengers onboard. The aircraft, a De Havilland Dash 8-400, departed Newark around 12:39 p.m. and diverted to Boston Logan International Airport after the captain became incapacitated.
Air Canada confirmed the incident in a statement:
“During the flight, the captain experienced a medical issue and was removed from the flight deck as per safety protocols. The first officer took control of the aircraft and diverted the flight to Boston, where it landed safely. Pilots are trained to fly aircraft and land safely without the assistance of a second pilot.”
That is the official version, and thankfully the aircraft landed safely. But the passenger accounts make clear that this was a frightening experience onboard.
Passenger Rodney McDonald told ABC News that the first sign something was wrong was the aircraft’s movement:
“The flight started swerving violently. Within a few moments, flight attendants entered the cockpit frantically, and a few moments later he was dragging one of the pilots out of the cockpit.”
McDonald said he and other passengers helped restrain the pilot after what appeared to be a seizure or other medical episode:
“It was really horrifying. Myself and about four others worked to get him under control. It was a fairly strenuous 40 minutes keeping him down.”
He also described the fear among passengers:
“Every thought goes through your mind. You start praying. My boys instantly started praying… so I’m told. I was at the front of the plane. I’m just grateful for how it all ended.”
Massachusetts State Police said Logan Airport officials received an alert just before 1:40 p.m. that the flight was diverting to Boston because a crew member had a medical emergency and the aircraft was being flown by the co-pilot. The plane landed around 2:00 p.m., and emergency crews met it on arrival. The captain was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital for treatment.
The flight later continued to Halifax, departing Boston around 7:30 p.m. and landing safely that evening.
CONCLUSION
This sounds like a terrifying incident for everyone onboard AC7664, especially those seated close enough to see the captain removed from the cockpit and restrained. This is also a reminder of why two-pilot crews matter and why first officers are fully trained pilots, not apprentices.
What a flight…
image: Air Canada
An example of why airlines should never, ever consider a single pilot cockpit.
An old school necessary diversion. No fights, drunks or petty arguments. Sending the captain a prayer for a return to health and a new path for the future.