LAOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- An airline pilot has died after collapsing in the bathroom of a Miami, U.S. to Chile flight with 271 passengers onboard.
Captain Ivan Andaur, the deceased, began feeling unwell three hours into the LATAM Airlines flight from Florida to Santiago and after collapsing in the bathroom, he received emergency treatment from the crew.
The flight reportedly took 30 minutes to divert to Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport and first responders declared Andaur, a 25-year veteran pilot, dead when the plane landed.
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LA505 flight, which was operating a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, and had a relief captain and first officer onboard, left Miami at 10.11pm on 14 August when the incident took place.
“LATAM Airlines Group reports that flight LA505 yesterday, which was on the Miami-Santiago route, had to land at the Tocumen International Airport in Panama due to a medical emergency for one of the three members of the command crew.
“When the plane landed, emergency services provided life-saving help, but the pilot sadly passed away,” the airline said in its statement reported by The Independent, quoting Simple Flying.
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“We are deeply moved by what has happened, and we extend our sincere condolences to the family of our employee. We are deeply grateful for his 25-year career and his valuable contribution, which was always distinguished by his dedication, professionalism, and dedication.
During the flight, all the necessary safety protocols were carried out to safeguard the life of the affected pilot,” the statement added.
According to the New York Post, Captain Andaur was 56 years old.