Pilot dies on Latam flight to Chile in medical emergency

The LATAM 787 was diverted to Panama on Monday, after a fatal medical emergency involving a pilot. Photo / Lucas Souza, Unsplash

The pilot of a Latam 787 died on a flight from the US to Chile on Monday, after suffering a medical emergency at the controls.

The South American airline said the service was en route to Santiago de Chile when staff were made aware of a medical emergency among one of the plane’s three command crew.

The service was diverted to Tocumen International Airport in Panama, where first responders were unable to save the pilot.

The airline did not name the deceased pilot of flight LA505, saying only that he was a long-serving employee.

“Latam Group is deeply saddened by this event and takes this opportunity to express our most sincere condolences to the family of our employee,” the airline said in a statement to US media.

“We are thankful for his 25 years of service to Latam, distinguished by his dedication, professionalism and enthusiasm.”

Latam 505 to Santiago diverted to Panama on Monday, after a pilot suffered a fatal medical emergency. Photo / FlightRadar 24

The diversion to Panama City happened about three hours into the eight-hour flight to Chile.

Passengers aboard the popular long-haul route were aware there was a medical emergency, but did not know it was one of the pilots who needed assistance.

One of the travellers aboard LA505 said flight crew were “running up and down the aisles”.

Burt Ploss, who was flying to Chile to go skiing, told USA Today crew were asking for medical professionals aboard the plane.

“No one knew it was the pilot, but you can definitely tell that the flight attendants were a little bit worried,” Ploss said.