Posted on 03/23/2023 5:03:46 AM PDT by T.B. Yoits
A pilot had a medical emergency on a Southwest Airlines flight from Las Vegas to Columbus, Ohio today. The pilot was removed from the flight deck when this occurred, according to a spokesperson for the airline, and a pilot from another airline who happened to be on board “assisted with radio communication” with the other Southwest pilot commanded the aircraft.
This incident was first reported on Twitter by Charlotte-based American Airlines Airbus first officer Josh Yoder.
The aircraft initially departed on schedule, flew out over Utah north of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, before returning to the gate in Las Vegas nearly two hours later. The 18 year old ex-China Eastern 737-700 finally departed again for Columbus at 11:02 a.m. – four hours and 22 minutes after originally-scheduled departure – and arrived in Columbus at 5:01 p.m.
According to Southwest Airlines spokesperson Chris Perry, Southwest Flight 6013 from Las Vegas to Columbus, Ohio returned to LAS after departure on Wednesday when one of our Pilots needed medical attention. The flight landed safely, and an alternate Flight Crew is operating the flight to CMH. We commend the Crew for their professionalism and appreciate our Customers’ patience and understanding regarding the situation.
Naturally everyone’s thoughts are with the pilot who required assistance. Two pilots still make sense in the cockpit, though eventually that will change. Still, the single remaining Southwest Airlines pilot would have been capable of returning the aircraft to the ground. Having another airline pilot available to assist, though details aren’t available on whether they were type-rated for the 737, was certainly helpful and an additional stroke of luck.
My second thought of course went to a pilot falling ill in the cockpit and Ted Striker being asked to assist with the radio.
Vaxxed and boosted. Safe and effective.
I want to give an award to the author. First article in years that told you what happened in the first two paragraphs!
That is why, at least years ago, all of the airlines had a cooperative arrangement to allow any pilot to ride free, to encourage them to be on planes as passengers, in case something of the sort occurred. I don’t know what the policy is now, but of course it makes sense for somebody with the requisite skill set to replace the pilot who fell ill. This honestly should not have been news, it should only have been news if it was found that the guy didn’t go into the cockpit.
He must have eaten the fish.
Yes, the first thoughts I think when the copilot comes on the PA and asks “Is there a pilot aboard” are all about the pilot. Naturally.
My second thought is whether I packed clean underwear.
” Two pilots still make sense in the cockpit, though eventually that will change. “
Eventually meaning when?
Lol
” First article in years that told you what happened in the first two paragraphs!”
You are correct and I missed it.
The rest of the article was simply, The Rest of The Story, as I think it should be.
Damn, I miss Paul Harvey.
Probably later this year when the pilot shortage gets so bad that the FAA suddenly decides they only need one pilot per plane so the airlines don’t go tits up
At which point I’ll either find a way to confirm there is a co-pilot on any plane I enter or will not be flying
Eventually meaning when?
when too many pilots are dead or grounded from the death shot to fill the two slots on planes...gotta keep em flying doncha know
“At which point I’ll either find a way to confirm there is a co-pilot on any plane I enter or will not be flying”
I’m thinking the same thing
Eventually meaning when?
The software snake oil salesmen want fully auto-piloted civilian flights over civilian populations.
"Planes are flying 99% of the time on auto-pilot anyway." ...except when they have to land in the Hudson River due to bird strikes taking out the engines.
yeah dont forget United is going woke..so the second seater soon might not be up to the job.
Two seconds. TWO SECONDS!!!
I guess he got over Macho Grande...
Good point
90% of my flights are on southwest
though details aren’t available on whether they were type-rated for the 737,
Yeah, let’s nitpick about that.
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