LAS VEGAS – On Wednesday morning, a Southwest Airlines pilot suffered an apparent medical emergency on a flight from Las Vegas to Columbus, Ohio, the airline said.
After the pilot became incapacitated, another pilot from a different airline who happened to be on board provided assistance with radio communication while the remaining Southwest pilot took control of the aircraft.
The flight flew over Utah north of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument before eventually returning to the Las Vegas gate nearly two hours after takeoff.
“Southwest Flight 6013 from Las Vegas to Columbus, Ohio returned to LAS after departure on Wednesday when one of our Pilots needed medical attention,” Southwest said in a statement. “The flight landed safely, and an alternate Flight Crew is operating the flight to CMH. We commend the Crew for their professionalism and appreciate our Customers’ patience and understanding regarding the situation.”
I’m being notified by passengers on a Southwest flight departing Las Vegas that the captain became incapacitated soon after takeoff this morning. He was removed from the flight deck and replaced by a non Southwest pilot who was commuting on that flight. This is now the fifth…
— Josh Yoder (@JoshYoder) March 22, 2023
Confirmed by @CBSNewsTexas A pilot on @SouthwestAir flight 6013, Vegas to Ohio required medical attention after departure. A credentialed pilot from another airline who was onboard, “entered the flight deck and assisted with radio communication while the SWA pilot flew.”
— Doug Dunbar (@cbs11doug) March 22, 2023
It was unclear what caused the pilot to collapse mid-flight.
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