Air Canada flight diverts to Boston after pilot medical emergency

Air Canada Flight 7664 diverted to Boston Logan International Airport on June 24 after the captain suffered a medical emergency, according to reporting that cited the airline and the Federal Aviation Administration.

The aircraft, a PAL Airlines de Havilland Dash 8-400 operating on behalf of Air Canada, was flying from Newark Liberty International Airport to Halifax Stanfield International Airport when the emergency unfolded.

Air Canada said the captain experienced a medical issue and was removed from the flight deck under safety protocols. The first officer took control of the aircraft and landed it safely in Boston around 2 p.m. local time.

Air Canada said 61 customers were on board.

Safe landing in Boston

Boston EMS reportedly transported the pilot to Massachusetts General Hospital after the landing. The pilot's condition has not been disclosed publicly.

The diversion highlights the standard two-pilot operating structure on regional turboprop flights, which allows one crew member to continue flying if the other becomes incapacitated.

What remains unclear

As of the initial reporting, neither the airline nor authorities had provided further public detail on the pilot's condition. It was also not clear whether Air Canada, PAL Airlines, or regulators would issue additional statements or announce any operational review.