Latam Airlines Veteran Pilot Dies Midflight; Plane Diverted After Medical Emergency seasoned pilot from Latam Airlines passed away due to a medical emergency while on a flight from Florida, US, to Santiago, Chile.
The 56-year-old captain fell unwell roughly three hours into the flight, and after heading to the restroom, he did not return, as per media accounts.
Despite crew efforts to save him, the plane, carrying 271 passengers, was redirected to Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport, a diversion lasting 30 minutes. Regrettably, emergency responders pronounced the pilot deceased upon landing.
The airline officially confirmed the event in a statement, noting that the flight, designated LA505 and ten route from Miami to Santiago, had to make an unscheduled landing due to a medical crisis involving a member of the flight crew.
Despite the efforts of emergency services, the pilot did not survive.
According to another report, a relief captain and a first officer took control of the cockpit after the incident. Latam affirmed the implementation of all necessary safety protocols and apologized to passengers for the delay.
The flight resumed its journey the following day and eventually landed in Santiago around 4 am.