An Air Canada flight was forced to make an emergency landing at Boston Logan International Airport on Wednesday, June 24, after one of the pilots became incapacitated during the Canada-bound flight, officials said.
Incident Details
The Air Canada flight 7664, operated by PAL Airlines, departed Newark Liberty International Airport for Halifax Stanfield International Airport in Nova Scotia. Just an hour after takeoff, at approximately 1:37 p.m., the captain experienced a medical issue, forcing the first officer to take control of the aircraft.
According to CBS News, the plane diverted at 1:40 p.m. and landed safely at Boston Logan around 2 p.m. local time. The de Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft was met by ambulances on the runway, and a stretcher was brought to the cockpit.
Official Statements
Air Canada told The Post: “During the flight, the captain experienced a medical issue and was removed from the flight deck as per safety protocols. The first officer took control of the aircraft and diverted the flight to Boston, where it landed safely.”
Both the Massachusetts State Police and the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the medical emergency. The FAA stated: “Air Canada Flight 7664 landed safely at Boston Logan International Airport around 2 p.m. local time on Wednesday, June 24, after the crew reported a pilot medical emergency.”
Passengers and Aftermath
Boston EMS officials reported that the pilot was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital. Air Canada confirmed there were 61 customers aboard the plane at the time of the incident. The pilot was brought from the plane to the ambulance within minutes of touchdown, officials said.
