Off-duty pilot helps Southwest Airlines flight after pilot’s emergency

An off-duty pilot stepped in to help fly a Southwest Airlines flight en route for Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday after the pilot experienced a medical emergency.

The incident took place not long after Flight 6013 took off from Las Vegas, Southwest Airlines told USA TODAY on Thursday. One of the pilots “needed medical attention,” the airline said.

“A credentialed pilot from another airline, who was on board, entered the Flight Deck and assisted with radio communication while our Southwest Pilot flew the aircraft,” said airline spokesperson Chris Perry. “We greatly appreciate their support and assistance.”

‘The captain became incapacitated’

In air traffic control audio from LiveATC.net, CNN reported a member of the flight crew is heard saying, “The captain became incapacitated while en route. He’s in the back of the aircraft right now with a flight attendant, but we need to get him on an ambulance immediately.”