Air Canada – A flight from Newark to Halifax was diverted to Boston on Wednesday afternoon after the captain experienced a medical episode, was removed from the cockpit, and the first officer landed safely with 61 customers aboard. The captain was taken to Massachusetts Ge
NEWARK, New Jersey — The flight began normally enough out of Newark Liberty International Airport, headed for Halifax, Nova Scotia. Then, mid-air, it turned into something no one wanted to imagine.
Air Canada Flight AC7664, operated by its regional partner PAL Airlines, was diverted to Boston after the captain experienced a medical episode during the flight on Wednesday afternoon. Officials said the captain was removed from the flight deck.
A passenger. Rodney McDonald. described a sudden shift in the cabin as the aircraft began to react in ways that didn’t feel right. “The flight started swerving violently. Within a few moments. flight attendants entered the cockpit frantically. and a few moments later he was dragging one of the pilots out of the cockpit. ” McDonald said. He added that he believed the captain was having some sort of medical episode. and that he and other passengers jumped in to help.
McDonald said the effort to assist the crew was intense. “It was really horrifying. Myself and about four others worked to get him under control. It was a fairly strenuous 40 minutes keeping him down,” he said.
While passengers did what they could, the first officer took control of the aircraft—an Air Canada-operated De Havilland Q400—and diverted the flight to Boston, where it landed safely with 61 customers on board.
For those aboard, the minutes stretched into prayer. “Every thought goes through your mind. You start praying. My boys instantly started praying… so I’m told. I was at the front of the plane. I’m just grateful for how it all ended,” McDonald said.
Pilots are trained to fly aircrafts and land safely without the assistance of a second pilot. Passengers told of a frightening period in which the captain was not coherent until the emergency landing, when he appeared to come out of the medical episode.
Others described the practical steps taken to manage the situation. They said they used seatbelts to restrain the captain’s arms and legs.
Medical experts advise that if someone appears to be having a seizure, it is best not to hold them down to avoid further injury. Instead, they say the area should be cleared of sharp objects, and the person should be turned gently onto their side while keeping their airway clear.
After the landing, video showed first responders carefully removing the pilot from the aircraft. Authorities said the captain was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital, where he is receiving medical treatment.
Work is now underway by the airline to provide impacted customers with travel arrangements to complete their journeys as soon as possible.
The sequence of what happened aboard Flight AC7664—swerving, frantic cockpit intervention, the captain being removed, the first officer taking control, and a safe landing—left passengers holding onto one thing: the landing came, and the cabin held together long enough to get there safely.
Air Canada AC7664 Newark to Halifax flight diverted to Boston PAL Airlines De Havilland Q400 captain medical episode Massachusetts General Hospital emergency landing