On Monday, August 31, Delta Air Lines flight 1208 experienced a turnaround due to a pilot suddenly experiencing a medical emergency, rendering him incapacitated.
The flight was originally scheduled from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) to Orlando. According to a Delta Air Lines spokesperson, the Boeing 757-300 aircraft carried 178 passengers and 7 crew members.
FlightAware data shows the plane took off around 11:29 that morning.
Shortly after takeoff, the crew made an emergency notification to air traffic control (ATC) about a “potential pilot incapacitation.” The audio recording of the notification revealed that the pilot was experiencing numbness in limbs and a severe physiological discomfort with a heart rate soaring to nearly 200 beats per minute.
Another pilot took control of the aircraft, declared a medical emergency, and requested an immediate return.
With the coordination and priority guidance from air traffic control personnel, the flight ultimately landed safely, returned to the airport, and after changing crew members, departed again to arrive in Orlando later that evening.
In a statement, Delta Air Lines expressed that the company “always prioritizes safety and is dedicated to supporting both pilots and passengers to ensure they can continue their journey.”
Just a few weeks ago, a Frontier Airlines flight from Cleveland to Fort Lauderdale declared a medical emergency when four flight attendants reported experiencing headaches and nausea shortly before landing, for reasons unknown. The plane landed safely, and emergency personnel were on standby at the airport.
This news article referenced reporting from FOX NEWS.