American Air pilot died of natural causes, report says

An American Airlines pilot who passed away during a flight from Phoenix to Boston died of natural causes, The Associated Press reports.

The pilot of American Air Flight 550, Michael Johnston, 57, became ill during the an overnight flight on Monday and later died, forcing the co-pilot to land the jetliner after it was diverted to Syracuse Hancock International Airport, N.Y. 

Foul play has been ruled out in the case of Johnston’s death by the Onondaga County Medical Examiner’s Office, according to the report. 

{mosads}The American Air flight was carrying 147 passengers and five crew members, including the pilot who passed away. No other passengers who were on board the plane were hurt and it was diverted safely to Syracuse. 

“We are incredibly saddened by this event, and we are focused on caring for our pilot’s family and colleagues,” American Air said in a statement provided to the AP on Monday.

The flight’s co-pilot reportedly radioed air traffic controllers to say, “American 550. Medical emergency. Captain is incapacitated.”

The co-pilot asked for a runway to land and inquired about whether medical personnel could reach the plane in time to save the pilot, according to the AP’s Monday report.