Airline Captain Dies: Qatar Airways Flight Diverted

[darrenf]

An airline captain for Qatar Airways died mid-flight from the Philippines to Qatar. The plane was diverted from its route for a landing in Kuala Lumpur, which is the capital of Malaysia.


According to reports in the Malaysia Star Newspaper, via NewsCorp the 43 year-old pilot had complained of chest pains. The co-pilot requested the emergency landing in Kuala Lumpur.

In a statement from the airline, about the death of the pilot, they remained vague "Qatar Airways regrets to inform that the captain of Flight QR645, operating from Manila to Doha, passed away on board." There was no word on the name of the pilot or the cause of death, though we do know that he was an Indian national.

Qatar Airways replaced the crew on the stop in Malaysia and were due at the Doha International Airport later that day.

It is scary that an airline captain died while flying a plane, especially on a very long flight. Lucky for the passengers, they had a very capable and professional co-pilot, who calmly took care of the situation and made sure that the passengers were safely and calmly taken care of. Kudos to Qatar Airways for professionally handling such a delicate situation.

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978598844

Wow.

 

[MikeD]

Wow.

It's happened a few times in the past few decades. Just last year the CAL 777 had the Capt die of a heart attack mid-flight, and there have been one or two instances off the top of my head in the 1980s where the Capt has died on the approach to landing.

 

[OldTownPilot]

CAL had a 757 CA pass away in flight as well a couple of years before the 777 CA.

 

[bretthullrampage]

There was that King Air a year or two back when one of the pax had to land after the pilot died.

 

[Cruise]

Very sad.......

However, the most shocking part of the article: 43 years old. Yikes!!! That's way too young.

 

[ClarkGriswold]

There was that King Air a year or two back when one of the pax had to land after the pilot died.

Its a AOPA real pilot story. Pinch hitting a king air i think its called. Very good, I was working at RSW when it came in pretty crazy

 

[fholbert]

Write up with pictures here.

http://www.thekathrynreport.com/2010/10/qatar-airway-pilot-who-died-in-flight.html

 

[crazyjaydawg]

It happens about once a year and I don't expect that to change. With the number of pilots working everyday and with the number of pilots working until 65 it's just a matter of statistics.

43 is way too young tho, and nonetheless sad.

On a side note I know at NWA we usually had 2-3 pax pass away on board every year, but usually they were grandma and grandpa that could barely make it on in the first place.

 

[derg]

CAL had a 757 CA pass away in flight as well a couple of years before the 777 CA.

I know a guy who knew the guy. How's that?

 

[aviatoralex]

Very sad . But why so young?

 

[SpiraMirabilis]

R.I.P.

Single pilot airliners are just around the corner!

 

[brent p h]

I have a friend at Qatar He is slated to train on the A-380 from my understanding. (If he doesnt retire first).:beer: