American Airlines pilot dies mid-flight

A co-pilot was forced to land a US domestic flight yesterday after the pilot died mid-flight.

The American airlines pilot died during a flight from Phoenix to Boston, the airline said in a statement today.

The cause of death is unknown.

The plane was diverted mid-flight to the Syracuse Hancock International Airport in New York and the co-pilot was forced to land the aircraft, Fox News reports.

“Medical emergency, captain is incapacitated,” the co-pilot says in the audio from the emergency landing call.

"154 souls on board."

The official reason for the diverted course was “pilot illness” according to a statement.

Emergency crews on the ground attempted to revive the pilot upon landing, but he was unresponsive.

The 147 passengers and crew on-board the plane have now arrived safely in Boston after being placed on alternate flights, American Airlines spokeswoman Andrea Huguely said.

“Our thoughts are definitely with the crew member’s friends and family,” she said.

“That is our primary concern at this point, making sure they are taken care of.”