BOSTON, MA — The incident occurred on an Air Canada flight AC7664 en route from New Jersey to Halifax, Nova Scotia. The plane was forced to make an immediate diversion to Boston’s Logan International Airport after the captain unexpectedly suffered what was described as an apparent seizure while at the controls.
“Terrifying” Moments in the Sky
According to flight crew and passengers on board, the medical crisis unfolded rapidly, creating tense and chaotic conditions in the cabin. After flight attendants and co-pilots quickly worked to safely remove the captain from the flight deck, an announcement was made to the cabin requesting medical assistance.
A nurse who happened to be on board immediately stepped forward to help manage the emergency. However, as is common during or immediately following a major seizure, the pilot reportedly became highly disoriented and agitated.
A passenger who spoke to ABC’s World News Tonight recounted the frightening sequence, explaining that he and several other passengers had to step in to physically restrain the pilot to ensure both his own safety and the safety of everyone else on board.
Safe Landing and Aftermath
Despite the high-stress situation unfolding just outside the cockpit, the first officer took full control of the aircraft and executed a flawless emergency landing at Logan International Airport.
Emergency medical services met the De Havilland Q400 (registration C-GPOE) on the tarmac immediately upon arrival. The captain was conscious when offloaded from the aircraft and was rushed to a local Boston hospital for evaluation and treatment. No injuries were reported among the passengers or the remaining crew members.
Air Canada released a statement expressing gratitude to the quick-thinking crew and the passengers who aided the captain during the medical crisis. Federal aviation authorities are expected to review the incident, though officials emphasized that the flight crew followed all standard emergency protocols to bring the aircraft down safely.
