Full Breakdown
Air Canada Express Flight Diverts After Captain Suffers Seizure; Passengers Restrain Pilot
6/29/2026, 6:02:50 AM
Incident Overview
Air Canada Express flight AC7664, a PAL Airlines-operated De Havilland Dash 8-400, departed Newark (EWR) at 12:39 p.m. with 61 passengers for Halifax. About 30 minutes later the captain suffered a seizure; flight attendants removed him from the cockpit and passengers restrained him for roughly 40 minutes. The first officer diverted the aircraft to Boston Logan (BOS), where it landed safely at 2:00 p.m. The captain was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital. The flight later resumed to Halifax, departing Boston at 7:30 p.m.
Timeline
- 12:39 p.m.: AC7664 departs Newark (EWR).
- ~1:10 p.m.: Captain’s seizure begins; crew intervenes.
- 1:40 p.m.: Massachusetts State Police receive diversion alert.
- 2:00 p.m.: Aircraft lands at Boston Logan (BOS).
- 7:30 p.m.: Flight departs BOS for Halifax; lands later that night.
Passenger and Crew Actions
Passenger Rodney MacDonald said the plane “started swerving violently” before flight attendants entered the cockpit. He and four others used seat belts to hold the captain down, describing the effort as “a fairly strenuous 40 minutes keeping him under control.” Flight attendants secured the captain in the aisle while the first officer guided the aircraft to Boston.
Official Statements & Responses
Air Canada said the captain’s medical issue required removal from the flight deck per safety protocols and that the first officer safely diverted the aircraft to Boston. Massachusetts State Police confirmed the diversion alert and noted the plane was flown by the co-pilot.
Medical and Safety Perspectives
The Epilepsy Foundation warns that “restraining a person can lead to injuries and make the person more confused, agitated, or aggressive.” Neurologist Dr. Orrin Devinsky added, “holding down a person experiencing seizures can cause injuries.” Both advise letting a seizure run its course while protecting the individual.
Criticism & Opposition
Social-media users called the restraint “excessive for someone experiencing a medical emergency,” citing injury risk. Medical professionals echoed this concern. A Reddit participant, however, argued the restraint was necessary given the captain’s “violent thrashing” and the confined cabin.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Some commenters suggested the captain had epilepsy; others noted seizures can stem from sleep loss, stress, or other triggers. The captain’s condition after treatment remains undisclosed, and Air Canada has not issued a medical clearance.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The flight started swerving violently. Within a few moments, flight attendants entered the cockpit frantically, and a few moments later he was dragging one of the pilots out of the cockpit.” — Rodney MacDonald, passenger
- “It was really horrifying. Myself and about four others worked to get him under control. It was a fairly strenuous 40 minutes keeping him down.” — Rodney MacDonald
- “Restraining a person can lead to injuries and make the person more confused, agitated, or aggressive.” — Epilepsy Foundation, first-aid guidance
- “Orrin Devinsky, a neurologist, also said that holding down a person experiencing seizures can cause injuries.” — Dr. Orrin Devinsky, neurologist
Why It Matters
The incident highlights the critical role of two-pilot crews, the need for clear in-flight medical protocols, and the importance of educating passengers on appropriate seizure response.
