[Adrian B]

A sad occasion for Qatar and the pilot's family.

THE captain of a Qatar Airways flight from the Philippines to Qatar died as it was in the air, forcing the plane to be diverted to the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, the carrier said.

"Qatar Airways regrets to inform that the captain of Flight QR645, operating from Manila to Doha, passed away on board,'' the airline said.

According to the Malaysia Star newspaper, the 43-year-old pilot, an Indian national, complained of chest pains, and the co-pilot requested to land at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Qatar Airways said the flight was diverted to Kuala Lumpur, where a new crew boarded.

The flight "is due to land at Doha International Airport later today,'' the statement said, without providing additional details.

The airline declined to elaborate on the cause of death or release the name of the deceased pilot.

Source Herald Sun