Passenger Takes Control to Safely Land Plane After Pilot Had Fatal Medical Emergency Mid-Air

Passenger Takes Control to Safely Land Plane After Pilot Had Fatal Medical Emergency Mid-Air

  • A passenger helped land the private plane they were, 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.

Passenger safely lands plane after pilot's fatal emergency.
Low angle view of airplane against sky. Jammie Frank.
Source: Getty Images

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.

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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.

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

“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.

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Passenger without flying experience lands plane

Previously, a passenger stepped up to the mantle to land a plane after the pilot became incapacitated.

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

An air traffic controller then started providing the passenger with instructions on how to land the plane, and it touched down safely.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

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Portia Arthur (Entertainment Editor) Portia Arthur holds a BA in publishing from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (2013). She worked as a Lifestyle editor for Pulse.com.gh for 5 years. She has worked with celebrities and footballers in image consultancy and management. She started for YEN.com.gh in 2022 and is currently the fashion editor at Yen.com.gh. She has completed Google News Intiative News Labs courses and Advanced Lab courses in Advanced Digital Reporting fighting misinformation. She can be reached via email: portia.arthur@yen.com.gh

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Berlinda Entsie (Copy Editor) Berlinda Entsie is a Copy Editor at YEN.com.gh. She has worked as a proofreader and editor since 2016. Berlinda has over 5 years' experience editing and writing for leading publications in Ghana. She previously worked with Graphic Communications Group LTD, Business Insider SSA and Pulse.com.gh. She obtained a B.A in English Studies from the Methodist University College in 2016 and a Diploma in Broadcast Journalism from the GH Media School in 2019. Reach out to her via berlinda.entsie@yen.com.gh