3rd Pilot ‘Dies Suddenly’ This Week

According to Dr. William Makis, three pilots have died suddenly this week.

The first tragedy occurred when 56-year-old Captain Ivan Andaur collapsed and died in the lavatory of LATAM Flight LA505 from Miami to Santiago.

As WLTReport noted, Andaur died of symptoms related to cardiac arrest.

Boeing Pilot Dies Mid Flight, Emergency Landing Activated

LATAM Airlines in a statement wrote “On August 14, 2023, flight LA505 (Miami – Santiago) diverted to Tocumen International Airport in Panama due to a medical emergency of one of the three members of the crew in command. Unfortunately, after landing and receiving further medical assistance, the pilot passed away.”

A second pilot death occurred on Wednesday.

“[Qatar] Airways QR579 (DEL-DOH) Delhi to Doha, [Qatar] diverted to Dubai as 51 year old senior pilot collapsed inflight and died!” Makis noted.

BREAKING NEWS: Another PILOT has died inflight!!

Aug.16, 2023 – Quatar Airways QR579 (DEL-DOH) Delhi to Doha, Quatar diverted to Dubai as 51 year old senior pilot collapsed inflight and died!

2nd pilot death & 4th collapse THIS WEEK!

Aug.14, 2023 – LATAM Flight LA505… pic.twitter.com/8UC9pIHeRQ

— William Makis MD (@MakisMD) August 16, 2023

The veteran pilot boarded the Qatar Airways flight as a passenger, according to The Times of India.

Per The Times of India:

A senior pilot – who had operated SpiceJet’s inaugural flight in 2003 and was currently working with Qatar Airways – died while flying as a passenger from Delhi to Doha on Wednesday morning. The Qatar Airways flight, QR 579, diverted to Dubai due to the medical emergency when the pilot, 51, fell ill onboard. However, he could not be saved.

“The pilot had worked with Alliance Air and spent 17 years in SpiceJet. He had operated SpiceJet’s first flight, Delhi-Ahmedabad, on May 23, 2005. Last year he had joined Qatar Airways where he was flying the Boeing 777,” SpiceJet sources said.

A long time colleague said, “He was very fit and his untimely demise has come as a big shock for everyone who knew him.”

“I just finished a call with a pilot connected to the deceased pilot on flight QR579. During that conversation I learned of another pilot who died suddenly during the taxi sequence on a different flight. Management at Qatar and Emirates Airlines are investigating the increase in sudden deaths and disability claims according to the individual I spoke with. Pilots for most Middle East carriers were mandated to take 3 shots,” US Freedom Flyers President Josh Yoder said.

I just finished a call with a pilot connected to the deceased pilot on flight QR579. During that conversation I learned of another pilot who died suddenly during the taxi sequence on a different flight. Management at Qatar and Emirates Airlines are investigating the increase in… https://t.co/wHiAeCwNlF

— Josh Yoder (@JoshYoder) August 16, 2023

Another pilot tragedy occurred the following day.

“IndiGo Pilot (40 years old) who was to operate flight (NAG-PNQ) Nagpur to Pune, India, fell unconscious & collapsed at boarding gate, was declared dead at hospital! Pilot identified as 40 year old Manoj Subramanium,” Makis wrote.

BREAKING NEWS: 3rd PILOT has died suddenly!
(3rd pilot death this week, 5 pilot collapses in total)

Aug.17, 2023 – IndiGo Pilot (40 years old) who was to operate flight (NAG-PNQ) Nagpur to Pune, India, fell unconscious & collapsed at boarding gate, was declared dead at… pic.twitter.com/AWEMPCFmKg

— William Makis MD (@MakisMD) August 17, 2023

The Times of India shared details:

An IndiGo pilot who was to operate a flight from Nagpur to Pune fell unconscious and collapsed at the boarding gate on Thursday. He was taken to a hospital where he was declared dead, said sources.

This is the third case of sudden death involving pilots this week, with two of the deceased being Indian pilots.

“Airline pilot collapses at the boarding gate just prior to operating a flight. This is the third pilot who has died suddenly this week alone,” Josh Yoder said.

Airline pilot collapses at the boarding gate just prior to operating a flight. This is the third pilot who has died suddenly this week alone. @USFreedomFlyers @LTCTheresaLong @DocPeteChambers @annvandersteel @USFreedomFlyers https://t.co/Pp3EEx3c8l

— Josh Yoder (@JoshYoder) August 17, 2023