Brave Passenger Safely Lands Plane as Pilot Experiences Medical Emergency Mid-Air

• A passenger helped land the private plane they were on, on Sunday, April 14, after its pilot experienced a medical emergency in the air
• The pilot, who later died, has since been identified as Duke University professor Joseph Izatt
• In a statement, his school dean described Izatt as an exceptionally thoughtful leader who weighed every decision with care

A passenger helped land a private plane safely in North Carolina on Sunday, April 14, after the aircraft's pilot suddenly experienced a fatal medical emergency.

According to a spokesperson for the airport and an incident report obtained by PEOPLE Magazine, the passenger took control of the Cirrus SR-20 and landed it at Raleigh-Durham International Airport shortly after the medical emergency was reported onboard the aircraft.

The pilot was transported to a local hospital shortly after the private plane landed safely on RDU’s secondary runway, the spokesperson says.

Read also

Libyan star admits guilt, explains why Super Eagles were held hostage

According to local ABC affiliate WTVD and NBC affiliate WRAL-TV, the victim has been identified as Duke University professor Joseph Izatt.

The passenger's identity has not been disclosed.

Izatt joined Duke in 2001 and served as a professor of engineering and the chair of Duke’s Department of Biomedical Engineering, according to a news release from the university.

“He was an exceptionally thoughtful leader who weighed every decision with a care that originated with his deep love for the BME community,” said Pratt School Dean Jerome Lynch in the release.

“The integrity and humility he brought as a school leader will be missed.”

Cellphone footage captured by Evan Caulfield showed paramedics putting the person in an ambulance, per WTVD.

"I knew I was witnessing something," he said.

It is unclear what kind of medical emergency occurred on the plane, or when.

Read also

Police release preliminary findings on Nigerian youth who died in Lagos canal, details emerge

Another passenger landed plane

Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that a passenger who stepped up to the mantle to land a plane after the pilot became incapacitated has earned praise on social media.

It was gathered that the passenger, who had no flying experience, landed a private plane in Florida on Tuesday, May 10.

The passenger was heard telling air traffic control that he did not know how to fly a plane during the incident.

Source: TUKO.co.ke