Created Thursday, Dec 9th 2021 13:46Z, last updated Tuesday, Dec 14th 2021 21:03Z
A Westjet Boeing 737-8 MAX, registration C-GXAX performing flight
WS-1590 from Calgary,AB (Canada) to Atlanta,GA (USA) with 99 people on board, was enroute at FL370 about 150nm southeast of Calgary when one of the pilots became incapacitated. While flight attendants provided first aid, the other pilot returned the aircraft to Calgary for a safe landing about 35 minutes after turning around. Medical services awaited the aircraft in Calgary and took care of the pilot.
The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground in Calgary for 21 hours before returning to service.
The airline reported one of the pilots suffered a medical emergency and was removed from the cockpit. The other pilot returned the aircraft to Calgary. That's why there are two pilots on board.
Passengers reported they became aware of something being amiss when flight attendants became worried and started to run up and down the aisle. One of the flight attendants brought medical equipment including a defibrillator to the cockpit, a call for medical staff on board was made. A short time later one of the pilots was helped out of the cockpit, a doctor and two nurses on board began to provide first aid. While the pilot appeared to be talkative, the doctor and nurses worked feverishly on the pilot.
On Dec 14th 2021 the Canadian TSB reported the captain became medically incapacitated. The first officer initiated a return to Calgary. A dead heading captain amongst the passengers took over the captain's duties. The flight landed in Calgary without further incident.
Related Flight:
WS1590,
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