Airline Pilot Dies During Flight After Suffering Medical Emergency, Co-Pilot Makes Emergency Landing In Panama

A pilot died after having a medical emergency during a flight, which forced LATAM Airlines to conduct an emergency landing in Panama. The plane landed safely with no injuries.

On August 14, Flight LA505 was flying from Miami to Santiago, Chile, when it had to make a landing at the Tocumen Airport in Panama. 

One of the three people apart of the command crew suffered an unexpected illness and died shortly after receiving medical assistance. 

The pilot was 56-year-old Ivan Andaur Sepúlveda, who was the captain of the aircraft for LATAM Airlines. 

Sepúlveda reported that he started to feel ill while on the flight and went to the bathroom. After the crew realized he was suffering from an illness, they immediately followed the emergency landing protocol so that Sepúlveda could receive medical assistance. 

LATAM Airlines released a statement about the incident writing, “At LATAM Airlines we are deeply saddened by what has happened and we extend our sincerest condolences to the family of our employee.” They continued to thank Sepúlveda for his hard work over the past years. “We greatly appreciate his 25-year career and his valuable contribution, which was always distinguished by his dedication, professionalism and enthusiasm.”

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Sepúlveda’s career started with him enlisting with the Chilean Air Force in 1985 as a fighter pilot. Thirteen years later he joined LATAM as a commercial pilot in 1998. 

His colleagues will remember him as a “devoted father” and an “extraordinary professional.” 

He is survived by his 29-year-old daughter.