Incident Proves Two-Pilot Operations Are Critical for Part 121

In the United States it is mandatory to have two pilots aboard during Part 121 operations for safety.

Wednesday, November 23, 2022 at 01:22 PM ET

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An airline pilot on a flight operating as American Eagle became incapacitated during a flight from Chicago and later died. [Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

An Envoy Air pilot died after becoming incapacitated during a flight from Chicago to Columbus, Ohio, on November 19.
The first officer successfully returned the American Eagle flight to Chicago O'Hare after approximately 30 minutes in the air when the captain became incapacitated.
Despite the flight landing safely and efforts by first responders, the pilot, identified as a captain in training, passed away at the hospital.
The incident highlights the critical safety importance of having two qualified pilots on board commercial flights, enabling the co-pilot to manage emergencies like pilot incapacitation.

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An airline pilot who became incapacitated during a flight from Chicago to Columbus, Ohio, on November 19 has died. The pilot, whose name has not been released, was required flight crew aboard Envoy Air Flight 3556, an Embraer E175 operated as American Eagle, with service from Chicago O’Hare (KORD) to John Glenn International Airport (KCMH).

According to LiveATC.com, approximately 30 minutes into the flight, the pilot flying as first officer notified air traffic control: “Need to return, the captain is incapacitated.” The flight was cleared back to O’Hare.