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Co-Pilot Cuffed in Midair After Breakdown
Toronto-London flight makes emergency landing in Ireland
By Jason Farago
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Posted Jan 30, 08 2:14 PM CST
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(Newser)
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An Air Canada flight from Toronto to London had to make an emergency landing Monday in Ireland after the co-pilot suffered a mental breakdown in midair, the Telegraph reports. The pilot started screaming God's name while at the controls of the Boeing 767; crew members removed him from the cockpit, bound his wrists and ankles, and handcuffed him to a seat in front of shocked passengers.
The pilot was admitted to an Irish psychiatric unit, while the 149 passengers were put on another flight to Heathrow. One passenger told reporters the man "just wanted to talk to God." Later on, while restrained, he lashed out at onlookers: "When they tried to put his shoes on later, he swore and threatened people. He was very, very distressed."