Qatar Airways captain dies mid-air

Agencies

Doha, 14 October 2010:  The captain of a Qatar Airways flight from the Philippines to Qatar died on Wednesday as it was in the air, forcing the plane to be diverted to the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, the carrier said.

 

The captain, a 43-year-old Indian national, complained of chest pain when the co-pilot requested an emergency landing.

 

 

"Qatar Airways regrets to inform that the captain of Flight QR645, operating from Manila to Doha, passed away on board," the airline said in an emailed statement.

 

Qatar Airways said the flight was diverted to Kuala Lumpur, where a new crew boarded.

 

The flight "is due to land at Doha International Airport later today," the statement said, without providing additional details.