AA 550 Diversion/Captain Dies in Flight

wheelsup said:
Sounds a lot better to say illness than old age when you are lobbying for an increase in retirement age.
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From what I've read, he was 57 years old. (If this is correct) I wouldn't exactly call that "dying of old age", especially when the cause of his death has not even been revealed yet. Regardless, it's a terrible event for his family, loved ones, friends and fellow crew members. Sad business.
 
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This is very unfortunate. A pilot at my last gig had a heart attack waiting for pax in the fbo at AFW. We were near Denver, which is where he was from, and was quickly dispatched to go pick up his wife and son to fly them down to AFW. It was one of the saddest sights I've ever seen and was extremely sucky to witness them mourning the entire way.

I knew the guy that he was flying with him and watched him explain to the guys wife what happened. It was an extremely saddening event. The guy was in decent shape and worked out some while on the road. I guess when it's your time, it's your time.
 
We have a lot of grey hair captains at my shop. It's only a matter of time. This might be a selfish thought, but I'm not sure how I'd handle this if I just watched the guy next to me pass while in flight, being completely helpless, and no real help. I'm not sure if I'd be able to get back at it, and keep working again after everything was over. I'd be afraid it'd happen again, or to me.
 
mshunter said:
We have a lot of grey hair captains at my shop. It's only a matter of time. This might be a selfish thought, but I'm not sure how I'd handle this if I just watched the guy next to me pass while in flight, being completely helpless, and no real help. I'm not sure if I'd be able to get back at it, and keep working again after everything was over. I'd be afraid it'd happen again, or to me.
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I agree, I think that no matter what the circumstances I would feel a little responsible. Even if there was realistically nothing I could do I'd be playing every situation in my mind over again feeling somehow responsible for not catching it earlier, not getting the plane on the ground earlier.
 
Details have been released about the pilot, age 57, Capt. Michael Johnston. He apparently had a heart attack. He had undergone a double-bypass heart surgery in 2006 when he was only 48 years old. "He had otherwise been in good health", his wife said, adding that "the airline required Johnston to have a physical every six months".

Johnston started his career with America West Airlines in January 1990. He flew the 737 and the 757, before being upgraded to captain on the A320.

His wife Betty Jean Johnston said the couple, parents of eight kids ages 12 to 34, would have celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary on Oct. 18.

"He loves flying," Johnston said. "He is very loving and caring, and he'll do anything for anybody - bend over backwards, try and help out anyone as much as he can. He's always been that way."

RIP Captain.

http://www.nbcnews.com/business/tra...ptain-who-died-flight-idd-57-year-old-n439066
 
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Never knew you could go through bypass surgery and get a class1. At any rate, I am sure he must have had to jump through many hoops and monitoring to keep it.

Condolences if anyone here knew him.
 
It's my understanding (obviously not an AME so someone correct me if I am wrong) that the FAA considers some heart issues to be disqualifying. But, other heart conditions such as bypass surgery, angioplasty, stem implantation and atherectomy would not necessarily hinder a pilot from keeping his First Class after the treatment and recovery period. Certainly there is extra testing that must be performed and passed, and there is a certain period/length of time for the recovery which must be adhered to as well.
 
Saddens me to read about this. Couldn't imagine passing while away from my loved ones, I'd be most worried about their grief and mourning. Rest In Peace
 
Ajax said:
I agree, I think that no matter what the circumstances I would feel a little responsible. Even if there was realistically nothing I could do I'd be playing every situation in my mind over again feeling somehow responsible for not catching it earlier, not getting the plane on the ground earlier.
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Not catching it earlier? You an MD in your spare time? How would you even have a remote bit of responsibility for that?

Remember. Someone else's emergency is NOT your emergency. You do the best you can to handle it, and that's all you can do.

It's like when I'm working EMS contract work. When I have a patient, in the time I have them, I give the best care I can. When I've transferred that patient to another unit or the hospital, they're out of my mind. Not that I don't care about their well being, I certainly wish them well. But I never (unlike some cohorts I know) go visit them later in the hospital if I'm around, or try to follow up on how they're doing, etc. For the exact reason as above. Their emergency isn't my emergency. Unless you're an MD and that other pilot was your patient, then you can feel some sort of responsibility for not catching something earlier.

You can only do what you can do, apart from that, anything more is just kicking yourself for no reason.
 
A Life Aloft said:
It's my understanding (obviously not an AME so someone correct me if I am wrong) that the FAA considers some heart issues to be disqualifying. But, other heart conditions such as bypass surgery, angioplasty, stem implantation and atherectomy would not necessarily hinder a pilot from keeping his First Class after the treatment and recovery period. Certainly there is extra testing that must be performed and passed, and there is a certain period/length of time for the recovery which must be adhered to as well.
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I wouldn't have thought someone can keep a first class following one of those procedures. Interesting....
 
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