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united flight diverts due to pilot's heart issue on transatlantic route

united flight diverts due to pilot's heart issue on transatlantic route
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United Airlines Boeing 777-200 | Wikimedia

A flight from United Airlines, operating a Boeing 777-200, had to make an unexpected diversion to Dublin on April 15. This occurred after a few hours of flying from Amsterdam to Newark when one of the pilots reportedly experienced heart-related issues.

The airline confirmed: "The aircraft landed safely in Dublin to address a health concern." The pilot's health condition remains undisclosed. The incident follows a separate United flight diversion over Europe due to an onboard medical emergency.

The affected flight, UA71, registered as N78005, runs daily between Amsterdam and Newark. The crew, upon noticing the pilot's condition, communicated with Air Traffic Control, citing heart or chest problems. At the time of the diversion, the aircraft was flying at 36,000 feet, approximately 670 nautical miles northwest of Dublin. Flightradar24 detailed that the plane departed Amsterdam at 09:23, intended for Newark's Liberty International Airport, and diverted after entering a holding pattern over Scotland. It landed in Dublin around 12:30 local time and continued its journey to Newark, departing Dublin at 14:07.

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This aircraft is 26 years old, offering accommodations across four classes with 276 seats in total. Before this event, it served on various routes, including destinations such as Washington, Los Angeles, and Tokyo.

A similar incident occurred on April 10 when United Flight UA977 from Newark to Dubai had to make an emergency landing in Athens due to a passenger's critical health situation. Despite attempts to assist the individual using onboard medical equipment, the passenger did not survive.

Another diversion happened on April 14, when United Flight 2325 returned to Denver following a potential wildlife strike, observed as flames emanated from one of the engines. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, was en route to Edmonton, carrying 153 passengers who safely deboarded at Denver.

Flight diversions are common in aviation and can occur due to various reasons, including adverse weather, mechanical issues, medical emergencies, or safety threats.

Flight UA71 between Amsterdam and Newark is one of several daily services United operates from the Netherlands to the US, offering up to 35 weekly flights.

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