A Delta Air Lines flight returned to Minneapolis within minutes of take-off after a pilot suffered a reported medical emergency, prompting the crew to declare an emergency and request an immediate landing.
Flight 1208 had departed Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport for Orlando, Florida, at about 11.29am on Monday, August 31, when the crew contacted air traffic control.
“We need to return to the field,” a crew member said in an air traffic control recording. “Nature of the emergency: We have a potential pilot incapacitation. We would like to return immediately.”
The Boeing 757-300, carrying 178 passengers and seven crew members, was given priority handling before landing safely back at Minneapolis at about 11.50am local time, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Delta said the crew had followed established procedures and that the incident involved a reported medical issue affecting one of the pilots. The airline has not released further details about the pilot’s condition.
“As safety comes first at Delta, we are focused on supporting the pilot and our customers to ensure onward travel,” the airline said.
The carrier arranged for a replacement flight crew, allowing passengers to continue their journey to Orlando later that evening.
The FAA said it would investigate the incident.
