Transatlantic Norwegian Air flight diverts to Shannon as pilot had seizures

Flight from Florida to Copenhagen issued a pan-pan call three hours west of Irish coast on Wednesday morning.

A Norwegian Air Shuttle flight, en route from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Copenhagen, Denmark, was diverted to Shannon Airport on Wednesday after the pilot became incapacitated following a number of seizures.

The Norwegian Air flight, DY-7042, was about three hours west of Ireland when the co-pilot of the aircraft issued a pan-pan call, advising the air traffic controllers that a “crew member” had fallen ill. They were later told, and the airline confirmed, that it was, in fact, the pilot who had become incapacitated.

The Sun newspaper reports that the 51-year-old pilot had suffered a number of seizures during the flight.

A pan-pan call is one below a may-day. It signified that there is an urgent situation on board the craft but there is no immediate danger to anyone's life of the vessel itself. The call informs potential responders, such as paramedics, that an urgent problem exists.

The co-pilot confirmed, with the controllers, that there was a third pilot on board at the time. The third pilot assisted with the diversion and emergency landing.

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At 9.51am the Boeing 787-800 Dreamliner jet, with 266 passengers and crew, landed safely in Shannon.

The plane was greeted on the runway by airport authorities and an ambulance. The captain was assessed while on board the aircraft and was removed to University Hospital Limerick for treatment.

A Norwegian Air spokesperson said “Flight DY7042 from Fort Lauderdale to Copenhagen was diverted to Shannon Airport this morning where it landed safely.

"The safety and security of our passengers and crew is Norwegian's highest priority and the diversion was made as a precaution after the captain fell ill.

"The captain was replaced and the flight resumed to Copenhagen this afternoon. We would like to thank passengers for their patience and apologize for any inconvenience caused.”

The flight arrived in Copenhagen at 1.30pm.

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