Jet2 Flight Declares Emergency Following Pilot Medical Incident
A Jet2 flight was forced to declare an emergency over the United Kingdom on Tuesday, February 3, after one of the pilots became incapacitated due to a medical issue. The incident occurred on flight LS980, which was returning to the UK from Lanzarote and was scheduled to land at Manchester Airport.
Emergency Code Transmitted Before Landing
Air Traffic Control was notified of the situation when the aircraft transmitted a squawk 7700 general emergency code. This alert was sent approximately 25 minutes before the flight's expected arrival in Manchester, indicating a serious onboard issue requiring immediate attention.
Despite the emergency declaration, the flight continued its journey as normal under the control of the remaining crew members. It landed safely at Manchester Airport at 20:14, with emergency services, including medical teams and airport responders, positioned on the ground and ready to assist upon arrival.
Safe Landing and Response
The successful landing highlights the robustness of aviation safety protocols and the training of flight crews to handle such unexpected medical emergencies. Passengers were reportedly unharmed, and the incident did not disrupt airport operations significantly.
This event underscores the importance of pilot health monitoring and the critical role of co-pilots in ensuring flight safety during emergencies. Aviation authorities may review the incident to assess any lessons for future preparedness.
