What Happens When a Pilot Gets Sick or Dies Mid-flight?
Commercial airlines take precautions to keep passengers safe and avoid in-flight emergencies.
Pilots must pass strict health checks and assess themselves before every flight to ensure they're fit to fly.
If a pilot gets sick mid-flight, the other pilot takes full control, and medical support can be coordinated remotely.Commercial pilots may fly 900,000-pound jumbo jets with hundreds of passengers on board, but that doesn't make them superhuman. Like us, they have immune systems that sometimes falter. While it's uncommon for pilots to get sick or hurt on the job, it's not unheard of. And rarely, they pass away mid-flight. Just last year, a Turkish Airlines flight from Seattle to Istanbul was forced to make an emergency landing in New York when its 59-year-old pilot collapsed and died a few hours into the 12-hour flight. Thankfully, these unfortunate incidents seldom lead to accidents or even situations that affect passengers—here's what happens when a pilot gets sick mid-flight.
Preventative Measures
It's important to note that most sick pilots never make it onto the flight in the first place. 'This is because we assess our 'Fitness to Fly' prior to each flight,' explains Adam Cohen, a captain at SkyWest Airlines. While it's not a comprehensive guide, the FAA's pre-flight health checklist for pilots is called the IMSAFE Checklist. The letters stand for illness, medication, stress, alcohol, fatigue, and emotion. If a pilot doesn't feel 100 percent in any category, or they've been impacted by medication or alcohol consumption, they should refrain from flying and notify their doctor.
Furthermore, in order to fly commercial planes carrying more than six passengers, all pilots need a medical certificate, issued by an official Aviation Medical Examiner. This certificate ensures they're physically and mentally healthy, and it's only good for 6-12 months, depending on the pilot's age. Pilots must be seen by a doctor regularly, and they can't be morbidly obese or have substance abuse issues.
What Happens If a Pilot Gets Sick Mid-flight
Despite the FAA and airlines' best efforts to ensure commercial pilots are healthy—they even feed them different meals to prevent the entire flight deck from suffering from food poisoning—pilots occasionally fall ill during a flight they're working. However, this doesn't necessarily mean it's a mayday situation. 'If a pilot becomes sick or incapacitated in flight, the other pilot is fully qualified to take over and safely operate the aircraft,' explains Rock Saddy, a pilot and liaison for Cirrus Aviation Services. 'Commercial flights always have at least two trained pilots on the flight deck, and in some cases, particularly long-haul routes, a relief pilot may also be on board.'
In addition to keeping passengers comfortable, flight attendants are trained to assist in medical emergencies. And according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. aircrafts with one or more flight attendants on board are required to have a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved automated external defibrillator on board as well as a first aid kit, plus an emergency medical kit containing certain medications you wouldn't find in a first aid kit.
Saddy tells Travel + Leisure that many airlines also have 24/7 access to services such as MedLink that connect flight crews with emergency room doctors via phone, satellite, or radio. If the pilot is seriously ill, the trained doctor will instruct the pilot taking over to divert to the nearest appropriate airport so the sick pilot can receive medical attention.
Passenger Volunteers
Most frequent fliers can recall a time when they were on a flight and the crew asked passengers who were doctors or nurses to volunteer to assist in the event of a medical emergency. Because this happens rather frequently (although it's most often a fellow passenger, not the pilot, who needs help), the Aviation Medical Assistance Act, which passed in 1998, includes a section that protects medical personnel from being sued for providing 'good-faith' medical care in the event of an emergency.
However, this only applies to domestic flights within the U.S. It may not cover you on an international flight. And if you've been consuming alcohol, you could be liable for misconduct or negligence. Ultimately, whether or not you step forward to assist is up to you, so read up on the regulations before you travel.
Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
Solve the daily Crossword
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
2 hours ago
- Forbes
Gen-Z Mental Health Crisis: How Insurance Coverage Can Turn ‘Overwhelm' Into Empowerment
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. For 6 in 10 members of Generation-Z, the endless stream of news on their feeds isn't just information—it's emotional overload. UNICEF's Perception of Youth Mental Health Report warns that the world's teenagers and youngest adults are feeling the strain. This generation is plugged in to their communities and wired for change. One in 3 Gen-Zers, defined as ages 14 to 25 in the report, say they want to lead peer efforts managing 'stress, anxiety, and overwhelm.' Yet, despite their energy, only about half (52%) know where to turn for help, and 40% still experience stigma at school or work when they speak up about their mental health. Gen-Zers who are ready and able to address their mental health may need to find insurance, and we've vetted some insurers that offer coverage. Why does this matter? Those who feel overwhelmed report lower well-being and less confidence in shaping their futures, the report said. Yet, even under this mental load, 60% of Gen-Z remains hopeful and committed to making a difference. Many young people recognize they need mental health support but don't know where to start. That's why health insurance with mental health coverage like therapy is more than a perk—it's a lifeline. Insurance that covers mental health isn't just a nice-to-have for a generation dealing with nonstop crises from climate change to political upheaval. It's a practical way to get professional support, learn coping tools and normalize that seeking help is OK. If you're shopping for the best insurance plans for mental health , here's what to look for: Accessible therapy: If only half of Gen Z knows where to find help, insurance that covers therapy, in-person or via telehealth, takes the guesswork out of the equation. If only half of Gen Z knows where to find help, insurance that covers therapy, in-person or via telehealth, takes the guesswork out of the equation. Reduced stigma: When mental health is a covered benefit, it sends a message: it's treated like any other medical issue, not something to hide. When mental health is a covered benefit, it sends a message: it's treated like any other medical issue, not something to hide. Preventive resources: Holistic insurance plans offering wellness coaching, stress management tools, or mindfulness programs give Gen-Z fundamental coping strategies, before being overwhelmed leads to a breakdown. Holistic insurance plans offering wellness coaching, stress management tools, or mindfulness programs give Gen-Z fundamental coping strategies, before being overwhelmed leads to a breakdown. Employer alignment: Many Gen-Z workers prioritize purpose and well-being over climbing the career ladder. Employers offering mental health inclusive plans not only meet Gen-Z employees where they are but also build loyalty and productivity. Source: Based on unsubsidized ACA plans. Source: Based on unsubsidized ACA plans. Gen-Z isn't fragile—they're overstimulated. Their drive to tackle global problems is real, but feeling overwhelmed quickly becomes burnout without support. That's why insurance with mental health benefits isn't just socially responsible—it's smart business, a sign of cultural empathy and an investment in the next generation. Forbes Advisor is not a licensed insurance agency. Insurance offerings are provided by CompareCoverage, NPN 20753534 and CA License # 6011227. © 2025 CompareCoverage. All Rights Reserved. Was this article helpful?
Medscape
3 hours ago
- Medscape
Canagliflozin Shows Promise in Managing T2D in Youth
TOPLINE: Canagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor, significantly reduced A1c levels in children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared with placebo after 26 weeks. More participants who received canagliflozin achieved the A1c goal of less than 6.5% or 7.0% than those who received placebo at week 26. METHODOLOGY: A phase 3 randomized controlled trial was conducted across 104 sites in 10 countries and enrolled 171 participants (aged ≥ 10 years to < 18 years) with T2D and A1c levels between ≥ 6.5% and ≤ 11%. Eligible participants had inadequate glycemic control despite following a diet and exercise regimen alone or in combination with receiving stable doses of metformin, insulin, or both. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 100 mg oral canagliflozin (n = 84) or a placebo (n = 87) once daily. At week 13, those with A1c levels ≥ 7% and an estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m² were reassigned to either continue 100 mg/d canagliflozin, increase their dose to 300 mg/d, or receive a matching placebo. Participants with A1c levels < 7% continued their original treatment. The primary efficacy endpoint was the change in A1c levels from baseline to week 26, and safety assessments included monitoring for adverse events and hypoglycemic events. The mean duration of treatment exposure was 337.8 days for the canagliflozin group and 335.0 days for the placebo group. TAKEAWAY: Participants receiving canagliflozin showed a significant reduction in A1c levels at week 26 compared with those receiving placebo (difference in least squares means, -0.76%; P = .002). The results were similar for those who also received metformin, with or without insulin. Fasting plasma glucose levels improved significantly from baseline in the canagliflozin group compared with the placebo group at both week 26 and week 52. At week 26, a significantly higher proportion of participants receiving canagliflozin than placebo achieved A1c levels below 6.5% (marginal proportions, 36.3% vs 14.0%) or below 7.0% (marginal proportions, 45.7% vs 32.8%), with similar findings noted at week 52. Ten participants (11.9%) who received canagliflozin needed rescue medication by week 52 compared with 40 participants (46.0%) who received placebo. Treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 77.4% of the canagliflozin group and 74.7% of the placebo group, with events such as headache, nasopharyngitis, and urinary tract infection occurring more frequently in the canagliflozin than placebo group. IN PRACTICE: "The data from this trial provide support for the use of canagliflozin in the clinical management of T2DM [type 2 diabetes mellitus] in children and adolescents aged 10 years or older," the authors wrote. "Canagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor, was recently approved for use in youth with T2D on the basis of Nadgir and colleagues' clinical trial that demonstrates safety and efficacy in this population," experts wrote in an accompanying editorial. "[SGLT2] inhibitors offer an oral option for youth not wanting injections. However, the aggressive nature of youth-onset T2D means that combination medical therapy is often necessary." SOURCE: The study was led by Ulhas Nadgir, MD, from Sutter Medical Group in Sacramento, California. It was published online on August 5, 2025, in Annals of Internal Medicine. LIMITATIONS: The 52-week length of this study limited the understanding of long-term glycemic control and growth effects. The small number of participants limited the ability to identify safety issues. Differences in the baseline characteristics of the treatment groups mean that some unmeasured factors could have influenced the results. DISCLOSURES: The study was funded by Johnson & Johnson, which was involved in the design, data collection, analysis, and publication decisions. Several authors disclosed their employment and stock or stock options: two with Johnson & Johnson; one with Johnson & Johnson International; one with Janssen Research & Development, LLC; and one with Janssen Pharmaceuticals. Payment for writing assistance was provided by Parexel. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
Medscape
3 hours ago
- Medscape
Why Diet Beats Exercise for Weight Loss Efficiency
This transcript has been edited for clarity. Weight loss only occurs in the presence of a calorie deficit, which means that someone is regularly burning more calories than they are consuming. The specifics are a little bit more complicated. Let's draw a parallel with golf. In golf, on a single hole, three terrible shots can be overcome by one excellent loss is unfortunately the opposite. An individual can eat healthy, low-calorie food for 80% of the time, but there could be 20% where over-consumption erases the calorie deficit and then weight loss does not occur. To say this another way, 5-6 days of healthy eating can be overcome by 1 day of dramatic calorie situation is not fair, but in order for us to try to have success, we need to first start to understand it better. While exercise is the most important intervention for maximizing health, it is not the most efficient means to achieve a calorie deficit. That's because any of us can eat in 60 secondswhat it would take more than 60 minutes of vigorous exercise to burn off. To sum up, be mindful of food choices and calorie content. Choose lower-calorie alternatives according to your preferences when you can find them. You can reduce consumption during meals by drinking an 8-16-ounce glass of water beforehand, and you should prioritize protein during meals in order to crowd out room from calories rich in carbohydrates and fats that can be consumed in much greater volumes relative to protein. Pay attention to snacks, sodas, and juices. These tend to be addictive, not very filling, and very high in calories. We all deviate from our goals and none of us are perfect, but modest dietary changes can lead to significant progress when performed with some consistency.
