On August 16, 2023, Qatar Airways flight #QR579 from Delhi to Doha was diverted to Dubai after an off-duty pilot fell ill and passed away during the flight. The Airbus A350-900 (A7-ALM) departing New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) on August 16 was diverted to Dubai, citing a medical emergency less than half an hour before its expected arrival in Doha.
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The pilot, a 51-year-old senior officer at Qatar Airways, fell ill during the flight and was later declared dead. Speaking to the Times of India, a colleague expressed shock at the pilot’s death. “He was very fit, and his untimely demise has come as a big shock for everyone who knew him.” The pilot is noted for his extensive aviation experience, having previously worked with Alliance Air before moving on to SpiceJet in 2005, operating the carrier’s inaugural service from New Delhi to Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD).
In 2022 he joined Qatar Airways, serving onboard the carrier’s Boeing 777 fleet. After an hour stopover at Dubai, the flight carried on to Doha, landing at 06:00 AST. Qatar Airways has been approached for comment.
This incident follows similar deaths of pilots from LATAM and IndiGo airlines within a span of three days. The tragic passing of Qatar Airways’ pilot closely follows a LATAM incident on Tuesday, in which the captain of LA505 from Miami International Airport (MIA) fell ill and passed away en route to Santiago’s Arturo Merino BenÃtez International Airport (SCL).