An unusual event occurred in the sky over North Carolina on Sunday, April 7, 2024, as a passenger had to take control of an aircraft after the pilot, Professor Joseph Izatt of Duke University, suffered a medical emergency that left him unconscious. He was later declared dead.
The flight, which had departed from Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina at 3:30 p.m., was thrown into chaos when the pilot passed out, leaving the passenger in a position to handle the aircraft.
When the medical emergency occurred, the passenger, a flight instructor conducting an instrument proficiency check, reported the situation to air traffic control, noting that the pilot was incapacitated. He and the pilot were the only two on the plane.
The flight instructor who assumed control of the plane communicated with the control tower as the airport came into view. Despite not being familiar with the aircraft model, the instructor suggested a more cautious approach to the runway, saying, “It might be more prudent to approach in a pattern that allows me to adjust the aircraft’s speed and other parameters to my liking. Directly approaching in an unfamiliar aircraft can be notably more challenging.”
As the drama unfolded, Evan Caulfield, a bystander at the airport, recorded the aftermath of the incident on his cellphone. His video showed multiple emergency vehicles on the runway.
Caulfield told a local news station, “I’ve been aware of numerous similar incidents, and it was fortunate there was a passenger capable of landing the aircraft. Emergencies occur frequently, and there are measures people can take to safeguard themselves. In aviation, having a co-pilot or someone knowledgeable in flying is vital. Awareness of situations and the commendable actions by emergency medical services, firefighters, and police is crucial for public safety.”
The aircraft, a single-engine Cirrus SR-20, managed to land safely at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, the same airport from which it had taken off. A local news source reported that the deceased pilot, Izatt, and Coherent Aviation in Raleigh, North Carolina, were the registered owners of the plane.
Despite the successful landing and the immediate response of emergency services, Izatt’s condition deteriorated, and he was declared dead. While it is suspected that he may have suffered a heart attack during the flight, this has not been officially confirmed.
Professor Izatt, aged 61, held the position of the Michael J. Fitzpatrick Professor of Engineering and was the chair of Duke University’s Department of Biomedical Engineering. He was a respected figure known for his groundbreaking work in the field of medical imaging and his significant contributions to both the academic and local communities.
The announcement of Izatt’s death by Duke University, accompanied by the lowering of campus flags to half-staff, highlighted the profound sense of loss experienced by the academic community and beyond.
Dean Jerome Lynch of Duke University described Izatt as an “exceptionally thoughtful leader” whose decisions were always influenced by his deep love for the biomedical engineering community. Izatt’s impressive legacy includes over 200 published papers and more than 75 US patents, underlining the magnitude of his loss to Duke University and the wider scientific community.
Izatt is survived by his wife and three children.