The pilot of a LATAM Airlines flight from Miami Florida to Santiago Chile has collapsed and died after becoming unwell approximately three hours into the flight.
LATAM Flight LA505 Miami – Santiago
Flight LA505, operated by a LATAM Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner airplane had departed Miami just after 10 PM local time on Monday 14 August, bound for Santiago.
Some three hours into the flight, Capt Ivan Andaur (56) reportedly began feeling unwell, before subsequently collapsing in the aircraft bathroom facility. Crew members administered first aid treatment to the captain, and the flight then diverted to Panama City Tocumen International Airport.
The flight had apparently been carrying a supernumerary crewmember, and the relief captain and first officer handled the diversion into the Panama City airport.
Emergency responders at Tocumen International subsequently declared the pilot dead after the aircraft landed.
LATAM Airlines Statement
LATAM Airlines subsequently released a statement addressing the incident, saying: “LATAM Airlines Group reports that flight LA505 yesterday, which was on the Miami-Santiago route, had to land at the Tocumen International Airport in Panama due to a medical emergency for one of the three members of the command crew.”
“When the plane landed, emergency services provided life-saving help, but the pilot sadly passed away.”
“We are deeply moved by what has happened, and we extend our sincere condolences to the family of our employee. We are deeply grateful for his 25-year career and his valuable contribution, which was always distinguished by his dedication, professionalism, and dedication.”
“During the flight, all the necessary safety protocols were carried out to safeguard the life of the affected pilot.”
Following the incident, the flight and then departed Panama City on Tuesday before landing at the destination of Santiago five hours later at 11:55 PM local time.
Captain Andaur, a veteran pilot, had originally commenced his flying career as a fighter pilot for the Chilean Air Force in 1985, before moving into civilian aviation to work as a commercial pilot for LATAM Airlines in 1998.
Commercial airlines pilots are typically subject to rigorous recurrent medical examinations. There is presently no further information with respect to the cause of the veteran airline pilot’s illness.