An Air New Zealand pilot collapsed shortly after she landed the Flight NZ175 full of passengers in Perth, Australia, on October 26.
It is suspected that Captain Ann Barbarich, 59, one of the first female pilots to work for Air New Zealand, suffered a brain aneurysm, just minutes after landing the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. One of the 3 other pilots took controls and taxied the aircraft to the gate.
Captain Barbarich was examined by 2 doctors aboard and was then rushed to the Royal Perth Hospital where she died 2 days later on October 28.
None of the 233 passengers aboard was injured.
According to Air New Zealand chief pilot David Morgan, “Ann was at the controls when the aircraft landed in Perth and the aircraft landed normally…Unfortunately after landing she became seriously ill. Another pilot took over and taxied the aircraft to the gate while the other pilots began to assist Ann. The aircraft was safe and under control at all times…Ann will be sadly missed by everyone at Air New Zealand. We have been actively supporting her family over recent days and will continue to do so. Our thoughts continue to be with them at this difficult time.”