CHICAGO — An American Airlines flight attendant with a pilot’s license replaced an ill first officer during a landing at O’Hare International Airport.
The co-pilot of a Boeing 767 with 225 passengers aboard became sick Monday on the flight, en route from San Francisco to Chicago, said American spokeswoman Mary Frances Fagan.
“He was unable to continue his duties, and he moved to the passenger cabin,” she said, adding that the captain checked to see whether any off- duty airline pilots were on board.
A female flight attendant advised the captain that she is a commercial pilot, and the captain asked her to assist him in the cockpit, Fagan said.
The flight attendant helped the captain with various tasks, in addition to providing a second set of eyes in the cockpit, Fagan said.
The condition of the ill first officer was not serious, officials said. He was treated and released at a local hospital. Chicago Tribune
