Pilot Dies Shortly after Takeoff from Chicago Airport Reeks Negligence

A tragic incident occurred on an American Airlines flight that forced the airplane to return to the Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Let’s explore the details of the news with Ehline Law and our airplane crash personal injury attorneys.

Envoy Air Flight Returns to Chicago’s International Airport after Pilot Faces Medical Emergency

On November 20, 2022, American Eagle Flight 3556 took off from Chicago O’Hare International Airport for Columbus when the plane’s captain suddenly suffered a medical emergency, becoming incapacitated.

Recording Messages at Air Traffic Controllers Indicate Captain Incapacitated on Envoy Air Flight 3556

The Envoy Air flight had to make an emergency landing at the Chicago O’Hare airport 27 minutes after its take off. According to the air traffic control, the co-pilot reported that the captain became incapacitated and would need a medical crew upon landing.

The Plane Landed Safely by the Co-pilot, but the Captain Does Not Make It

When the Embraer E175, operated by Envoy Air, a subsidiary of American Airlines, landed at Chicago O’Hare airport, the emergency responders immediately moved the captain to a nearby hospital, where he lost his life.

Despite Heroic Efforts on the Ground, Our Colleague Passed Away, VP Envoy Air States

Capt. Ric Wilson, Vice President of Envoy’s flight operations, stated that despite heroic efforts by first responders on the airplane and the ground, the captain did not survive. 

The Air Line Pilots Association did not comment on the medical emergency’s cause.

FAA Starts Investigations after Envoy Air Flight Returned to Chicago’s International Airport

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the regional carrier incident as it is rare for pilots to suffer medical emergencies as they go through rigorous health examinations before flying an airplane.

Rough Year for the Regional Carrier

For the aviation titan American Airlines, 2022 was a rough year where it saw many incidents that put the airline on the news for all the wrong reasons. 

Some of these include the following:

• American Airlines offers bus routes and calls them flights to save money.
• A mother paid extra for an escort service for her 12-year-old unaccompanied daughter, who the airline lost.
• On approaching Kansas City, an American Airlines Boeing 737-800 suffered multiple strikes from birds, seriously damaging the airplane.

Who Is Responsible for Airplane Crashes?

Several parties could be liable for an airplane crash, including the airplane owner/operator, common carrier, or airplane manufacturer. 

In the “pilot dies shortly after takeoff from Chicago airport” incident, an accident could’ve occurred, leading to the death of 57 passengers aboard the plane.

If that ever happened, American Airlines would’ve been in serious trouble as they are responsible for ensuring that their pilots undergo a rigorous health examination before allowing them to fly.

Until FAA completes its investigation, it is too early to state who may be responsible for the incident.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Ehline Law

Investigations are important in helping determine the liable party against whom the injured victims or grieving family members can pursue legal action.

If you suffered injuries in an accident or lost a loved one, contact us at (833) LETS-SUE for a free consultation. Ehline Law has the resources to properly investigate an accident, determine the liable parties, and hold them responsible for your loss.