Friday, September 30, 2011

American Airlines flight diverted to Nashville after pilot becomes ill

An American Airlines Boeing 777 flying from Chicago to Miami was diverted to Nashville because of an ill pilot.

Flight 2050 landed safely in Nashville at 12:32 p.m. The plane had 213 passengers on board, as well as two pilots and eight flight attendants. It was still on the ground at 2:30 p.m.

Ed Martelle, spokesman for American Airlines, said "We believe one of the pilots became ill, but we don't have a lot of information."

According to Kim Lawson, deputy chief with the Nashville Fire Department, a pilot became ill during the flight and was the cause of the emergency landing. The pilot is stable and has been taken to Summit Medical Center in Nashville.

The 777 isn't a plane typically used in regularly scheduled Nashville flights, said Emily Richard, spokeswoman for Nashville International Airport. "Our runways and terminal can accommodate them though," she said.

Another passenger became ill on the flight, but there are no details on the person's condition at this time, Lawson said.

American Airlines is bringing another pilot from Dallas to Nashville to continue the flight to Miami. "He is en route now," said Martelle. "The plan is to get everyone back on board and hightail it to Miami."

He didn't have a definitive time for when the plane would reach Miami. The plane is being serviced, and once the pilot gets there, American will begin the departure process.

http://www.tennessean.com

No comments:

Post a Comment