A Lufthansa Boeing 747 has been forced to make an emergency landing after its captain lost consciousness shortly after taking off from Miami International Airport.
The incident occurred on flight LH463, which was bound for Frankfurt, Germany, on January 19.
The pilot fainted at the controls just moments after the aircraft departed from the tarmac, prompting immediate action from the crew.
The aircraft, carrying a full complement of passengers, had to dramatically alter its course whilst flying up the eastern seaboard of the United States.
The Lufthansa flight had to be delayed (file pic)
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The co-pilot immediately took control of the Boeing 747-8 whilst two flight attendants rushed to provide first aid to the captain in the crew lounge.
As the aircraft continued its journey northward, deteriorating weather conditions complicated the situation.
With one pilot down and facing challenging weather, the crew made the decision to perform a U-turn at 30,000 feet over Nova Scotia.
The emergency manoeuvre came as the flight crew assessed the risks of continuing the long-haul journey with an incapacitated captain.
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The flight was diverted to Montreal airportWikICOmmonsThe aircraft made an unscheduled landing in Montreal, Canada, approximately 1,500 miles away from its intended destination in Frankfurt.
The landing was executed safely, though the cause of the pilot’s sudden collapse remains unclear. No updates have been provided regarding the captain’s medical condition following the incident.
Passengers aboard the diverted flight were subsequently rebooked onto alternative services from Montreal.
A Lufthansa spokesman addressed the incident, stating: “The flight landed there normally and safely, and the colleague received medical care.”
“Lufthansa regrets the inconvenience caused to the passengers. The safety of our passengers and crew members is our top priority at all times,” the spokesman added.
The airline confirmed that affected passengers were rebooked on alternative flights from Montreal to continue their journeys.
Similar incidents have occurred in recent years, with a Turkish Airlines pilot tragically dying mid-flight whilst operating an Airbus 350 between Seattle and Istanbul in 2024.
The 59-year-old veteran pilot had worked for the airline since 2007 and had passed his medical examination in March.
In 2019, a Jet2 captain fainted during a Manchester to Madeira flight, forcing an emergency landing in Porto.