US safety authorities are looking into the sudden death on Wednesday of an American Airlines first officer as a Boeing 737-800 was about to land in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The aircraft had flown as Flight 1353 from the airline’s hub in Dallas-Fort Worth and was two miles (3.2 kms) from landing when the captain declared an emergency and cited a medical issue, US media reports said.
The captain landed the plane safely and attempts were made on the ground to revive the stricken pilot, identified as William “Mike” Grubbs, by administering CPR.
The airline said in a statement a that it was “is deeply saddened” by the death and it was taking care of the pilot’s family and colleagues.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time,” it said.
Pilots are subject to health checks and it is rare for one to collapse at the controls.
A 57-year-old American Airlines captain who suffered from heart problems died in October, 2015, flying an Airbus A320 between Phoenix, Arizona, and Boston. The plane diverted to Syracuse, New York, and landed safely.
In October, 2014, an Air New Zealand pilot collapsed at the controls of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner as it landed in Perth, Australia. She later died in hospital.
