Jet Airways plane makes emergency landing as pilot taken ill

NEW DELHI: A Jet Airways flight from Bangkok to New Delhi landed in emergency conditions at Delhi airport today after its commander fell ill in the flight forcing the co-pilot to take controls. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation ( DGCA) has initiated a probe into the incident.

"The Captain of Jet Airways flight 9W-063 Bangkok-Delhi fell sick during the latter part of the flight. The first officer took over as the commander and declared an Emergency as per company and regulatory requirements," said a statement from Jet Airways. The aircraft, with 121 passengers on-board, landed safely at the Delhi Airport.

The co-pilot informed the Delhi ATC about the commander's health and sought help to land about 40 minutes prior to the scheduled landing time, when the aircraft was flying over Lucknow. The aircraft made an emergency landing post-midnight at IGI.

The statement added that the first officer was assisted by another Jet Airways captain who was travelling as a passenger on the same flight. “The first officer took over as the commander and declared an emergency. This is done so that the flight is accorded high priority and preparations are made for the flight's arrival on the ground,” the release added. The airline also said that the sick commander was looked after by a doctor who was among the passengers.