A Delta Air Lines flight returned to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport shortly after departing for Orlando, Florida, due to a reported medical emergency involving a pilot.
The Boeing 757-300, which was carrying 178 passengers and seven crew members, took off at approximately 11:29 a.m. on August 31. However, just four minutes later, the crew requested to return to the airport, citing a potential pilot incapacitation.
According to air traffic control recordings, a crew member stated, "We need to return to the field. Nature of the emergency: We have a potential pilot incapacitation. … We would like to return immediately." The crew declared an emergency to receive priority handling from air traffic control.
The plane landed safely in Minneapolis, and Delta arranged for a new flight crew to allow the passengers to continue their journey to Orlando. The flight ultimately arrived in Orlando later that evening.
Delta stated that the crew followed established procedures in responding to the emergency, and the airline is focused on supporting the pilot and passengers to ensure onward travel.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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