Pilot dies as plane takes off from Chicago

An Envoy Air pilot fainted during takeoff from Chicago O’Hare International Airport and was later pronounced dead, officials said Tuesday. The copilot piloted the aircraft and landed safely.

The incident involved Envoy Flight 3556, an Embraer E175 aircraft, scheduled to fly to Columbus, Ohio on Saturday night. The flight was flown for American Eagle, which is part of American Airlines as well as Envoy Air.

“We need to get back,” the co-pilot told air traffic controllers seconds after taking off from Chicago International Airport.

“Despite heroic efforts to revive him, training captain Patrick Ford has passed away,” said Rick Wilson, Envoy Air’s vice president of flight operations. I mentioned it in my message to the pilot. “We are deeply saddened by this loss.”

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the incident. Aviation sources said Ford died of a heart attack, but authorities were unable to confirm it.

“I would like to thank Line Check Airman Capt. Brandon Hendrickson for his leadership and professionalism in the safe handling of the aircraft, passengers and crew,” Wilson said.

The FAA is currently investigating after the captain of American Eagle Flight 3556 became incapacitated shortly after taking off from ORD on Saturday night. The captain later died in hospital.The co-pilot landed the plane safely on his ORD, 57 passengers and crew.pic.twitter.com/pcvFIuUCM9

— Chris Van Cleave (@krisvancleave) November 22, 2022