An Air Canada flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Boston after the captain suffered a medical emergency mid-flight and had to be removed from the cockpit.
The frightening situation happened Wednesday, June 24, on Air Canada Flight 7664, which had taken off from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey and was headed to Halifax Stanfield International Airport in Nova Scotia.
About an hour after takeoff, the captain experienced a medical issue while the plane was in the air, according to Air Canada.
“During the flight, the captain experienced a medical issue and was removed from the flight deck as per safety protocols,” the airline said in a statement to The Post.
The first officer then took control of the aircraft and diverted the flight to Boston Logan International Airport.
“The first officer took control of the aircraft and diverted the flight to Boston, where it landed safely,” Air Canada said.
The flight was diverted around 1:37 p.m. and landed safely in Boston at about 2 p.m., according to officials.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the emergency landing, saying the crew had reported a pilot medical emergency.
“Air Canada Flight 7664 landed safely at Boston Logan International Airport around 2 p.m. local time on Wednesday, June 24, after the crew reported a pilot medical emergency,” the FAA said.
The plane was a de Havilland Dash 8-400, a twin-turboprop aircraft operated by PAL Airlines on behalf of Air Canada.
There were 61 passengers on board at the time of the emergency, according to the airline.
After the plane touched down, emergency crews rushed to the runway. Images from local outlets showed Massport Fire Rescue and Boston EMS surrounding the aircraft before it was towed to a gate.
Medical personnel brought a stretcher to the cockpit area, and the pilot was removed from the aircraft within minutes of landing.
Boston EMS said the pilot was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital.
Massachusetts State Police also confirmed that a crew member had suffered a medical emergency, prompting the diversion.
No further details have been released about the pilot’s condition.
The airline said the flight landed safely, and no injuries among passengers were reported.