The pilot died--
Aug 21 '00
A man died last night-- the captain who was piloting the plane. Who would ever think this could happen? This is very rare indeed, but it did happen. It happened last night on a flight from Los Angeles, Flight 308, to Minneapolis when the captain became ill, left the cockpit and handed over the controls to the co-pilot. The pilot had just suffered a heart attack.
The man was only 53 years old and had been with NW Airlines since 1972. This apparently happened mid-flight and they had called for a doctor on board and he used the portable defibrillator that they now have on-board for such a possibility. The co-pilots landed the DC-10 without incident. Once on the ground, they had a medical-response team but were unable to revive him.
Apparently the passengers heard this announcement, but amazingly there was no panic amongst them, which could have been a real catastrophe had someone panicked.
Now, how many of us think about that when boarding a plane? I know I don't. Apparently there has been only one other death within the past five years of a pilot or co-pilot. That just shows how rare this is.
Under the strict guidelines of the FAA, all pilots must pass a rigorous physical examination every six months. If they do not pass, they are suspended or usually retire. I myself used to work at the Airport Medical Clinic here and I typed all the physical exams for these pilots, whether they be commercial, private, or military. They really put them to the test, not to mention visual and hearing examinations that must be passed. So, these men and women are probably the most healthy among us.
I feel sadness for the man's family, but am just glad I wasn't on that plane and knew what was happening or I would have had a full-blown panic attack myself. This is coming from someone who used to fly at least twice a year for many, many years. I haven't stepped foot inside one for about 15 years now because of anxiety. I hate that, because it's the fastest mode available to us for traveling. Let's just hope it doesn't happen again!
A FINAL THOUGHT: Why did I write this? What purpose does it serve? I thought about that. It was not for exploitation. It just makes you stop and think though just how fragile life is. It can happen anywhere, to anyone of us, at anytime!
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Epinions.com ID:
linda1527
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Location: Minnesota
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Finally I am an ex-smoker as of 9/1/01
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