A US Airways flight from Phoenix to Boston was diverted to Syracuse, New York, Monday morning after the captain became ill and later died, according to an airline spokeswoman.
Andrea Huguely said American Airlines Flight 550 operated by US Airways left Phoenix at 11:55 p.m. local time and was diverted mid-flight, landing shortly after 7 a.m. EDT. She said that after the flight's captain was stricken, the first officer safely landed the plane with 149 passengers and five crew members onboard.
In a statement late Monday, CEO Doug Parker identified the pilot as Phoenix-based Captain Michael Johnston, 57. Details of the medical emergency weren't released. It also wasn't clear when the pilot died.
"We are incredibly saddened by this event, and we are focused on caring for our pilot's family and colleagues," an airline statement said.
Huguely said a replacement crew was sent to Syracuse and the plane later completed its trip to Boston.
Before the flight landed at Syracuse, the first officer called the airport tower and said in a calm voice, "American 550. Medical emergency. Captain is incapacitated." He requested a runway to land.
In a recording of his exchange with the tower, the officer expresses concern whether ambulance medics can get on the plane quickly. He's assured that they can, and is told to go into a gate where the medics would meet the plane.
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"As long as they have a way to get onto the airplane quickly, we'll need them to get to the captain, thank you," the first officer is heard saying on an air traffic control recording.
Johnston's cause of death has not been determined.
Flight attendants at every airline are trained to handle all sorts of in-flight emergencies. One of them on board Flight 550 tried to help the captain but couldn't save his life.
"My heart goes out to them, the family and everybody involved. I mean, we're all lucky to be alive," said passenger Frank Cacciola. "When you think about it, it could have been a lot more tragic than it was."
NBC 5's Kevin Cokely contributed to this report.
US Airways is in the process of merging with Fort Worth-based American Airlines.
