Pilot dies on LATAM Airlines flight from Miami after having medical emergency

A LATAM Airlines pilot died on a flight from Florida to Chile Monday after suffering a medical emergency, officials said.

The airlines said the plane was traveling to Santiago, Chile, from Miami, Florida, when one of the three members of the command crew was in need of medical assistance, LATAM Airlines Group said in a statement to USA TODAY.

The airline's crew landed at the Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, Panama, where first responders tried to help the pilot, but he died, the airline said.

“LATAM Group is deeply saddened by this event and takes this opportunity to express our most sincere condolences to the family of our employee,” the airlines said. “We are thankful for his 25 years of service to LATAM, distinguished by his dedication, professionalism and enthusiasm.”

The pilot was not named in the statement.

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Brett Ploss, who was on board the plane, said he was going to Chile for a ski trip when he saw flight attendants “running up and down the aisles,” he said.

“No one knew it was the pilot, but you can definitely tell that the flight attendants were a little bit worried,” Ploss added.

Flight LA505 arrived in Chile at 4:00 a.m. Wednesday, the airline said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pilot dies during flight: LATAM Airlines plane left Miami for Chile