Pilot Dies After Medical Emergency On Flight From Miami To Chile

MIAMI, FL — A Latam Airlines pilot died Monday after suffering a medical emergency on a flight bound for Chile, a spokesperson for the airline confirmed.

The pilot was one of three crew members aboard the flight from Miami International Airport to Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport in Santiago, Latam Airlines said in a statement.

According to the flight tracking website FlightAware, the flight took off from Miami at 9:41 p.m. Three hours later, the plane made a quick descent before landing at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City.

The airline did not provide details on the nature of the health problem; however, a spokesperson confirmed the pilot died after the plane made an emergency landing in Panama.

"All the necessary protocols were followed during the flight to safeguard the life of the affected pilot," Latam's statement read. "Unfortunately, after landing and receiving further medical assistance, the pilot passed away."

Airline officials did not identify the pilot but thanked him for 25 years of service.

"LATAM Group is deeply saddened by this event and takes this opportunity to express our most sincere condolences to the family of our employee," the airline said.

Brett Ploss, a passenger on board the plane, told USA Today he was headed to Chile for a ski trip when he saw flight attendants “running up and down the aisles."

“No one knew it was the pilot, but you can definitely tell that the flight attendants were a little bit worried,” Ploss told USA Today.