SYRACUSE, N.Y. — An American Airlines captain became gravely ill and incapacitated while flying from Phoenix to Boston and later died, but his first officer safely diverted and landed the nearly 150-passenger plane, an airline spokeswoman said.
Passengers on the flight were told the pilot was sick and it was making an emergency landing in Syracuse, and they later learned of his death in a scenario that’s rare but not unheard of. Seven pilots for U.S. airlines and one charter pilot have died during flights since 1994, the Federal Aviation Administration says.
American Flight 550 left Phoenix at 11:55 p.m. local time Sunday and was diverted midflight, landing shortly after 7 a.m. EDT, said American spokeswoman Andrea Huguely. After the captain was stricken, the first officer took over with 147 passengers and five crew members on board.
In a letter to employees, American Airlines CEO Doug Parker identified the pilot Monday night as Michael Johnston, 57, who was based in Phoenix. The airline didn’t say when Johnston died.
