Commercial pilot dies in-flight; co-pilot takes over

[Jersey Yankee]

This is happening RIGHT NOW. Continental Flight #61, a Boeing 777 from Brussels, Belgium to Newark, NJ. The plane is set for an emergency landing in a 1/2 hour.

[xenadanielle]

I was just going to post about this in thd DD but definitely think this is worth its own thread.



http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/20...dead-pilot/?hp

[Bub]

I don't know why it's an emergency landing. The person flying the plane is a pilot. Too bad about the other pilot...but that's why co-pilots are there, right?

[DEADSOX]

I don't know why it's an emergency landing.

I wouldn't want to be flying a plane with a dead body next to me

[mentalgidget]

I don't know why it's an emergency landing. The person flying the plane is a pilot. Too bad about the other pilot...but that's why co-pilots are there, right?

I don't think it's an emergency landing. this is the only quote about the landing

"Salac says the plane, a Boeing 777, will receive priority handling when it lands around noon"

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090618/.../us_pilot_dies

[Mantle'sMutt]

I don't know why it's an emergency landing. The person flying the plane is a pilot. Too bad about the other pilot...but that's why co-pilots are there, right?

Co-pilot could also keel. Then ya got yourself a real emergency.

[jlw1980]

It says there are two co-pilots flying the plane and that it's not an emergency landing, just a priority one.

[Mantle'sMutt]

It says there are two co-pilots flying the plane and that it's not an emergency landing, just a priority one.

There's someone on the wing......

[TinoFan84]

I wouldn't want to be flying a plane with a dead body next to me

From the article:

A medical doctor was on board the flight and pronounced the pilot dead, said Les Dorr Jr., a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration at John F. Kennedy International Airport. The pilot was removed from the cockpit to the crew rest area.

Ms. King said that two pilots assumed the controls. “The crew on this flight included an additional relief pilot who took the place of the deceased pilot,” she said. “The flight continued safely with two pilots at the controls. The company has been in touch with his family and we extend our deepest sympathies.”

Two first officers are “on board the aircraft” and piloting it, “which they are perfectly qualified to do,” said Arlene Salac, an F.A.A. spokeswoman.

Sounds like it's all under control, thankfully.

[fredgmuggs]

I don't know why it's an emergency landing. The person flying the plane is a pilot. Too bad about the other pilot...but that's why co-pilots are there, right?

Yeah, I would hope the co-pilot was competent. Honestly, if I was on that plane I wouldn't be one bit nervous.

[whatever123456]

Aie. I was once on a flight when the person across the aisle from me had a heart attack. Luckily we were nearly to our destination. But they did the whole "is there a doctor or nurse on board this flight" call over the speaker and luckily there was one. They gave the guy some oxygen and nitroglycerin and then when we landed, EMTs rushed on to the plane.

It was terrifying because you're up that high and all you can do to save someone is work with the people and equipment you have on board.

[smr15]

plane has landed @ Newark.

[xenadanielle]

R I P to the pilot.

Thank goodness the plane landed safely.

[NYYDragoon]

Damn.

At one point in time there were four people in the cockpit. Then it went to three. And now it's two. Incidents like these make you wonder if it's a good idea for the trend to take one more step (as some people in aviation think may happen).

[WashingtonYankee]

Scary.....

Glad everyone's ok. Sad for the loss.

[Maynerd]

I don't know why it's an emergency landing. The person flying the plane is a pilot. Too bad about the other pilot...but that's why co-pilots are there, right?

If the aircraft is designed for two pilots, and you're suddenly reduced to just one, it would be an emergency situation. The B-52 had a very wide cockpit, and you couldn't reach all the switches from one seat or the other. While the instrument panels are duplicated for each pilot, the switches working the systems (electrical, hydraulics, radio, starters, etc), aren't necessarily available at each seat. Believe it or not, even in the much smaller LearJet, I couldn't reach all the switches at the other seat.

However, in this case, there was an extra qualified pilot aboard the aircraft, who could jump in the pilot's seat. No emergency situation, just a priority to land.

And yes, copilots are fully qualified to fly the aircraft. Generally the Pilot and First Officer alternate who flies from leg to leg.

[YanksFan1992]

Aie. I was once on a flight when the person across the aisle from me had a heart attack. Luckily we were nearly to our destination. But they did the whole "is there a doctor or nurse on board this flight" call over the speaker and luckily there was one. They gave the guy some oxygen and nitroglycerin and then when we landed, EMTs rushed on to the plane.

It was terrifying because you're up that high and all you can do to save someone is work with the people and equipment you have on board.

My mother's a doctor and quite a few times a flight attendant has come to our seats and asked for assistance with someone with health problems on the flight. It usually isn't anything too bad, but the funny thing is they always try to offer her really cheap wine afterward.

[Bub]

Yeah, I would hope the co-pilot was competent. Honestly, if I was on that plane I wouldn't be one bit nervous.

That's probably because you wouldn't know what happened. I doubt they made an announcement to passengers...

"attention passengers, our pilot is dead, but not to worry, we have 2 more pilots on board fully capable to land the plane. Enjoy the rest of your flight."

[Jersey Yankee]

I was just going to post about this in thd DD but definitely think this is worth its own thread.



http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/20...dead-pilot/?hp

Thanks for backing me on this. I wsn't even sure about creating a new tread, then they kept broadcasting it as "Breaking News", and it certainly seemed highly important & unusual.

What's the DD?

As to Bub's question about emergency landing someone can check the FAA website or listen to Maynerd, but some "licensed pilot" came on the air and mentioned this. I just ran with that, but they later did use "priority landing".

[xenadanielle]

Thanks for backing me on this. I wsn't even sure about creating a new tread, then they kept broadcasting it as "Breaking News", and it certainly seemed highly important & unusual.

What's the DD?

As to Bub's question about emergency landing someone can check the FAA website or listen to Maynerd, but some "licensed pilot" came on the air and mentioned this. I just ran with that, but they later did use "priority landing".

Oh I meant "deeply disturbing" thread, sorry.

[jlw1980]

That's probably because you wouldn't know what happened. I doubt they made an announcement to passengers...

"attention passengers, our pilot is dead, but not to worry, we have 2 more pilots on board fully capable to land the plane. Enjoy the rest of your flight."

The passengers probably saw them move his body from the cockpit, I'd guess.

[Jersey Yankee]

That's probably because you wouldn't know what happened. I doubt they made an announcement to passengers...

"attention passengers, our pilot is dead, but not to worry, we have 2 more pilots on board fully capable to land the plane. Enjoy the rest of your flight."

At least on this thread's flight, an onboard MD pronounced the pilot dead. I heard that an announcement was made, but I'm unsure how smaller commercial airlines or chartered flights handle this.