Breaking News: Pilot Dies In-Flight – Co-Pilots land Plane

Continental Flight 61 was en route from Brussels, Belgium to Newark Liberty Airport landed safely at 11:49AM local time today, after the 61-year old pilot died at the controls, apparently of natural causes. The flight included a relief pilot, who, with the co-pilot, landed the plane. To avoid panic, none of the 247 passengers were told of the situation till the plane was safely on the ground, only told there was a medical emergency.

Because the plane was prioritized, due to its emergency status, arrivals at New York area airports, as well as Philadelphia, were delayed, contributing to an already bad day in this areas due to heavy downpours and thunderstorms.

The late pilot had over thirty years of experience with the airline. We were reminded on Twitter that this is the second Continental captain to die in flight since the age restrictions on pilots were adjusted to sixty-five two years ago. That is not entirely correct, the previous pilot died in January of 2007, on a Continental flight from Houston to Puerto Vallarta, before the age was lifted from sixty to sixty-five at the end of 2007.

Either way, pilots over sixty must get a physical twice a year, pilots under forty every three years. The rigorous medical certification process includes extensive hearing, sight, cardiovascular, and mental health certifications. We would be interested to know the results of this pilot’s last medical check, which would have been within six months, but we choose to believe he and Continental were in compliance.  Data suggests that older pilots are safer than younger ones.  Less than one percent of accidents are caused by medical incapacitation or death.

Studies show pilots in the age group between 24 and 39 had the highest number, and pilots over 55 the fewest, with no increase till pilots hit 68, and even then nowhere near the younger group. Captain Sullenberger, who landed a plane safely on the Hudson River in what is considered a demonstration of years of experience and training, is fifty-seven years old. Experience may be the best teacher.

Quoting some additional discussion on the issue, courtesy of Poynter Online. The Aerospace Medical Association position statement said [PDF]:

“This issue of the Age-60 Rule can be reduced to three questions. After age 60,

1. will air transport pilots have a higher aircraft accident rate?
2. will there be significant performance decrement in the cockpit?
3. will there be an unacceptable risk of inflight sudden incapacitation due to medical causes?”…

“…on review of existing evidence, the Aerospace Medical Association concludes there is insufficient medical evidence to suggest restriction of pilot certification based on age alone.”

Ultimately, older pilots are good for safety, and no pilot goes it alone. A plane has two, and while it is more difficult, one man can fly and safely land a jetliner, especially with computer assistance.