American Airline Pilot Died:American Airlines flight Pilot died mid-air but the plane managed to land safely, airline officials have confirmed.flight from Phoenix to Boston was a 57-year-old captain who started his career at Tempe-based America West Airlines in 1990.

American Airlines CEO Doug Parker said in a letter to employees Monday night that Capt. Michael Johnston was piloting Flight 550 from Phoenix to Boston early Monday morning when he fell ill. Parker, who previously was America West’s CEO, called it “extremely sad news.”

57-year-old American Airline pilot Died

Parker said Johnston was a graduate of Brigham Young University. He joined America West as a first officer on the Dash-8. He later flew the Boeing 737 and the 757 before being upgraded to captain on the Airbus A320. America West merged with US Airways in 2005. US Airways and American merged in 2013.

Johnston was based in Phoenix but lived in Utah, according to his Facebook profile. A post on his page Monday said his wife wanted everyone to know that “Mike passed away this morning doing what he loved most.”

Parker also praised the other crew members on Flight 550.Although mid-air death of a pilot is a very rare scenario, commenting on the medical condition of pilots, Head of Safety Operations John Cox said, “In the US, it is compulsory for pilot above the age of 40 to have a routine medical examination.”

As per rules set out by the Federal Aviation Federation, it is mandatory for two crew members to be present in the cockpit at all times.

“Passengers are never at risk because both the pilots are qualified to fly the airliner alone,” safety experts told

The American Airline is yet to reveal the reason behind the pilot’s tragic death mid-air.

In India, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has set out guidelines for all pilots and crew members. “Irrespective of the airlines, every pilot and airline cabin-crew has to undergo routine medical examinations, every six months,” states the DGCA handbook.