Photo: Cavan Images / Iván Berrocal / Cavan / Getty Images
An Air Canada flight traveling from Newark, New Jersey, to Halifax, Nova Scotia, made an emergency landing at Boston Logan International Airport on Wednesday (June 24) after the captain suffered a sudden medical emergency and was removed from the cockpit.
The incident occurred on Flight AC7664, which was operated by Air Canada's regional partner, PAL Airlines. The De Havilland Q400 turboprop was carrying 61 passengers when the captain reportedly became incapacitated midflight. A passenger told ABC News the aircraft started "swerving violently" before a flight attendant rushed to the cockpit and pulled the captain out, appearing to suffer from a seizure.
The first officer, trained to handle emergencies solo, assumed full control of the aircraft and safely diverted to Boston. Air Canada confirmed in a statement that the captain was removed from the flight deck per safety protocols, and upon landing, was met by fire rescue and emergency medical services before being taken for treatment.
Massachusetts State Police said the flight was diverted at 1:40 p.m. local time after a crew member reported the emergency. Air traffic controllers at Logan International warned other pilots that a runway would be out of commission for the emergency, but the plane landed without further incident, according to WHDH Boston.
Air Canada stated that work is underway to help the 61 affected passengers complete their journeys as soon as possible. The airline has not provided an update on the captain’s condition but emphasized that pilots are trained to land aircraft safely even without a second pilot.