Created Monday, Mar 27th 2023 11:00Z, last updated Monday, Mar 27th 2023 12:02Z
A TAROM Boeing 737-800, registration YR-BGK performing flight RO-7673 from Timisoara (Romania) to Hurghada (Egypt) with 184 passengers on board, was enroute at FL370 about 150nm south of Bucharest in Bulgarian Airspace when the first officer reported the captain had become incapacitated and they needed to turn around and divert to Bucharest. The aircraft landed safely on Bucharest's runway 26R about 80 minutes after departure.
The aircraft remained on the ground for about 90 minutes, then departed again.
The airline reported the "medical emergency of one of the members of the command crew" prompted the crew to divert to Bucharest.
According to media reports in Bulgaria the captain (30 years of age) complained about chest pain and increased heart rate, then fell unconscious. The captain is on his way to recovery.
On Mar 27th 2023 Romania's AIAS announced: "On 25.03.2023, around 17:21 local time, AIAS was notified about the occurrence of a civil aviation event at Henri Coandă Airport, Otopeni, in which the Boeing B738 aircraft, registered YR-BGK, was involved, which carried out an emergency landing. There are no victims. The event is being investigated by AIAS."
