Off-duty pilot steps-in when Southwest pilot suffers flight medical emergency

An off-duty pilot traveling as a passenger on a recent Southwest Airlines flight stepped in to help the plane’s flight crew after one of the pilots suffered a medical emergency mid-flight.

The incident occurred shortly after Flight 6013 departed from Las Vegas for Columbus, Ohio on Wednesday morning, prompting the pilot, who worked for another airline, to step in and assist with radio communication while the other Southwest pilot flew the aircraft back to its origin airport in Las Vegas.

Meanwhile, a nurse who was also a passenger on the flight, helped flight attendants care for the incapacitated pilot.

“A credentialed Pilot from another airline, who was on board, entered the Flight Deck and assisted with radio communication while our Southwest Pilot flew the aircraft,” Southwest spokesperson Chris Perry told CNN. “We greatly appreciate their support and assistance.”

“It’s standard procedure for our Flight Crews to request assistance from traveling medical personnel during in-flight medical events involving Customers, this situation just so happened to involve one of our Employees,” Southwest added.

After landing without issue in Las Vegas, a backup flight crew took over and the plane continued on to Columbus as planned. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the incident.