SkyWest Captain Incapacitated Before Landing; First Officer Safely Lands at Midway

Incident Overview

On Feb. 17, 2026, SkyWest Flight 3795, a CRJ-700 operating for Delta Connection, was approaching Chicago Midway Airport when the captain lost consciousness shortly before final approach. The first officer immediately took control and landed the aircraft safely, with emergency services meeting the flight at the gate. No passenger injuries were reported.

Training and Crew Resource Management

Captain Steeeve, a seasoned Boeing 777 pilot, highlighted how commercial airlines train crews to handle total pilot incapacitation. The incident demonstrates the effectiveness of crew resource management training, allowing the first officer to maintain control without executing a go-around despite the single-pilot situation. Steeeve emphasized that all FAA-certified pilots are qualified for any flight phase, eliminating any "co-pilot" hierarchy concerns.

Current Status

There have been no official statements from SkyWest, Delta, the FAA or the NTSB, and the incident has not yet appeared in the NTSB's preliminary investigation docket. The event serves as a reminder of the rigorous training that underpins commercial flight safety and highlights the importance of ongoing pilot health monitoring.