A respected Duke University professor, Joseph Izatt, became incapacitated due to an unexpected medical emergency while piloting a private plane over the skies of North Carolina on Sunday, April 7, 2024. His condition prompted his passenger to jump into the pilot’s seat to land the plane.
The flight, which had departed from Raleigh-Durham International Airport, North Carolina at 3:30 p.m. with two onboard, was proceeding as usual until the pilot lost consciousness, leaving the passenger to take control of the aircraft.
During the medical emergency, the passenger seat was occupied by a flight instructor who was conducting an instrument proficiency check. The instructor, whose identity remains undisclosed, promptly informed air traffic control about the pilot’s unresponsive state.
Communicating with the control tower once the airport was in sight, the flight instructor, unfamiliar with the aircraft model, expressed reluctance to make a direct approach to the runway. He stated, “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.”
Evan Caulfield, who was at the airport to drop off his daughter for a commercial flight, documented the aftermath of the incident on his mobile phone. His footage showed several emergency vehicles stationed on the runway.
Caulfield told a local news outlet, “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 successfully landed single-engine Cirrus SR-20 was owned by Izatt and Coherent Aviation in Raleigh, and it landed at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, the same site from which it had departed.
Despite the successful landing and immediate emergency response, Izatt’s condition deteriorated, and he was later pronounced dead. While it is speculated that he suffered a heart attack during the flight, this has not been confirmed.
Professor Izatt, then 61, was a prominent figure in his field. As the Michael J. Fitzpatrick Professor of Engineering and chair of Duke University’s Department of Biomedical Engineering, he was celebrated for his groundbreaking work in medical imaging and his significant influence on both the academic and local communities.
Following the announcement of Izatt’s passing, Duke University lowered campus flags to half-staff, signifying the profound sense of loss felt within the academic community and beyond.
Dean Jerome Lynch of Duke University praised Izatt as an “exceptionally thoughtful leader” whose decisions were consistently driven by his deep love for the biomedical engineering community. Izatt’s contributions, including more than 200 published papers and over 75 US patents, highlight the enormity of the loss for both Duke University and the larger scientific community.
Izatt is survived by his wife and three children.
