Co-Pilot Hospitalized After In-Flight Medical Emergency
On July 27, a co-pilot fainted during the approach to Lisbon Airport on easyJet Flight EZY2459 from Luton. The Airbus A320 aircraft issued a rare “red alert,” which is an obligatory stop of operations as a safety precaution, as the medical situation developed.
The Airbus A320, carrying 193 passengers, landed safely, and the first officer was immediately attended to by paramedics and transported to Santa Maria Hospital for further treatment.
An easyJet spokesperson confirmed the incident, stating: “easyJet can confirm that flight EZY2459 from Luton to Lisbon was met by paramedics upon landing due to a pilot member feeling unwell. The captain landed the flight routinely in line with procedures, and passengers disembarked normally. At no point was the safety of the flight compromised. The safety and welfare of passengers and crew is easyJet’s highest priority.”
Passengers scheduled for the return trip to Luton experienced a three-hour delay due to the incident.
Similar incident occurred in Massachusetts
Recently, another in-flight medical emergency occurred in the US when a pilot of a small aircraft fell ill during the final approach to Martha’s Vineyard Airport. A passenger attempted to take over, but the plane crashed, breaking the left wing. The 79-year-old pilot was critically injured and taken to a Boston hospital, while the female passenger was unhurt and later released from a local hospital.
These incidents highlight the critical importance of stringent safety protocols and emergency preparedness in aviation, ensuring passenger safety even in unexpected medical situations.