Originally Posted by
CVFDCHIEF180
I am not trying to critical, nor am I familiar with AA/US policies regarding this type situation for safety reasons since there was only one pilot at the time but as a Paramedic I am curious why if he was in fact flying the plane, found to go unresponsive that help was not summoned immediately and he removed from the cockpit so that resuscitative efforts could have begun.
All commercial airliners are equipped with automatic external defibrillators (and flight attendants who are trained in their use) in addition to medical equipment. For someone who has gone into Cardiac Arrest the first 4 to 6 minutes are "make or break time". Good CPR, with assistance from an AED assuming he was in a shock able rhythm may be all it took to revive this individual.
The rumor that a nurse attempted to revive him seems unlikely if no one on the plane knew what was going on until they landed. My assumption if he was attempting to be revived would be that it was done in the floor of the forward galley.
I would love to know more if anyone has credible information.
The First Officer's primary concern and duty should be flying the aircraft? His primary duty was to the 147 passengers and 5 crew aboard. You weren't on the scene, though an ER nurse was. A thorough investigation must and will be done, and when the facts are known they will be duly published.
Michael Johnston, the Captain, was a 57 year old man with double bypass surgery in 2006 and had been declared fit for duty by competent medical authority and had passed his required biannual medical exam and certification. As I'd imagine under the circumstances, his death was likely catastrophic and sudden. The FO took command of the aircraft and landed safely. My sorrow extends to Mr. Johnston's family, friends and US Airways colleagues.
In flight cockpit airman death is quite rare - 7 commercial airline pilots, one charter pilot in the USA since 1994 (FAA via BBC). Sure makes me glad the European Aviation Safety Agency disagreed with Michael O'Leary (Ryanair CEO) when he sought to fly short haul flights with one pilot in the cockpit.
