MIAMI, FL – A commercial airline was forced to make an emergency landing after leaving the Miami International Airport when the pilot suffered a cardiac event before collapsing and dying. The two co-pilots were able to fly the plane and safely land at the Tocumen International Airport in Panama.
The pilot, identified as 56-year-old Ivan Andaur, was controlling the LATAM Dreamliner from the Miami International Airport bound for Chile on August 13th when he began complaining of cardiac symptoms. Andaur made his way to the plane’s bathroom before collapsing.
According to the Mirror US, a woman on the plane reported the incident occurred shortly after take-off which was around 11:00 p.m.
The unnamed woman said, “After 40 minutes the pilot asked us if there was a doctor on the plane, we don’t know what happened there. They told us that we were going to land because the pilot felt sick and when we arrived they asked us to evacuate the plane because the situation had worsened.”
The two co-pilots took control of the craft and flew the plane to the nearest airport for an emergency landing. Once the plane was on the ground, paramedics rushed onboard and attempted life-saving measures, but, sadly, were unable to revive the pilot.
One of the nurses who rushed on board, so far only identified as Isabella on social media, claimed the rescue crew did not have what they needed to revive Captain Andaur.
“Unfortunately," she said, "we did not have the necessary or sufficient supplies to perform a good resuscitation. LATAM needs to improve the issue of protocol in case of health and medical emergencies like this where lives can be saved but the resources are needed.”
In a statement, LATAM Airlines contradicts Isabella’s account that there were insufficient safety protocols in place to save the life of Captain Andaur.
In a statement, the Airline said, “The group emphasizes that all the necessary safety protocols were carried out during the flight in order to safeguard the life of the affected pilot. Unfortunately, after landing and receiving assistance on the ground the pilot passed away.”
The statement continued by praising Captain Andaur and his twenty-five-year career. “At LATAM Airlines Group we are deeply saddened by what has happened and we extend our sincerest condolences to the family of our employee. We greatly appreciate his 25-year career and his valuable contribution, which was always distinguished by his dedication, professionalism and enthusiasm.
“Regarding our passengers, LATAM regrets the inconveniences that arose from this painful and unforeseen situation and would like to inform that they have departed for Santiago, Chile.”
Captain Andaur was a pilot in Chilie’s Air Force before joining LATAM as one of their pilots. One of his colleagues, Sky Airline Captain Paula Mandini, paid homage to her lost friend on Facebook by writing,
“I have many memories of flights, conversations and so many things…I have a giant lump in my throat. I only hope that you are with your Vero and from heaven you give strength to your daughter…!!!!!Fly high…!!!!”
Captain Andaur’s wife Veronica died in 2017 and they shared a daughter, Sofia. There has been no reporting on Sofia’s age or by whom she is currently being cared for.
The pilot, identified as 56-year-old Ivan Andaur, was controlling the LATAM Dreamliner from the Miami International Airport bound for Chile on August 13th when he began complaining of cardiac symptoms. Andaur made his way to the plane’s bathroom before collapsing.
According to the Mirror US, a woman on the plane reported the incident occurred shortly after take-off which was around 11:00 p.m.
The unnamed woman said, “After 40 minutes the pilot asked us if there was a doctor on the plane, we don’t know what happened there. They told us that we were going to land because the pilot felt sick and when we arrived they asked us to evacuate the plane because the situation had worsened.”
The two co-pilots took control of the craft and flew the plane to the nearest airport for an emergency landing. Once the plane was on the ground, paramedics rushed onboard and attempted life-saving measures, but, sadly, were unable to revive the pilot.
One of the nurses who rushed on board, so far only identified as Isabella on social media, claimed the rescue crew did not have what they needed to revive Captain Andaur.
“Unfortunately," she said, "we did not have the necessary or sufficient supplies to perform a good resuscitation. LATAM needs to improve the issue of protocol in case of health and medical emergencies like this where lives can be saved but the resources are needed.”
In a statement, LATAM Airlines contradicts Isabella’s account that there were insufficient safety protocols in place to save the life of Captain Andaur.
In a statement, the Airline said, “The group emphasizes that all the necessary safety protocols were carried out during the flight in order to safeguard the life of the affected pilot. Unfortunately, after landing and receiving assistance on the ground the pilot passed away.”
The statement continued by praising Captain Andaur and his twenty-five-year career. “At LATAM Airlines Group we are deeply saddened by what has happened and we extend our sincerest condolences to the family of our employee. We greatly appreciate his 25-year career and his valuable contribution, which was always distinguished by his dedication, professionalism and enthusiasm.
“Regarding our passengers, LATAM regrets the inconveniences that arose from this painful and unforeseen situation and would like to inform that they have departed for Santiago, Chile.”
Captain Andaur was a pilot in Chilie’s Air Force before joining LATAM as one of their pilots. One of his colleagues, Sky Airline Captain Paula Mandini, paid homage to her lost friend on Facebook by writing,
“I have many memories of flights, conversations and so many things…I have a giant lump in my throat. I only hope that you are with your Vero and from heaven you give strength to your daughter…!!!!!Fly high…!!!!”
Captain Andaur’s wife Veronica died in 2017 and they shared a daughter, Sofia. There has been no reporting on Sofia’s age or by whom she is currently being cared for.
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