Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Sep 13: An Air India pilot died after he was found unconscious in his hotel room in Delhi’s Vasant Kunj area while on a layover, the airline said on Saturday. Air India said it was deeply saddened by the pilot’s death and is extending all support to his family.

The Mumbai-based pilot was staying at a hotel in Vasant Kunj when he was found unconscious on the evening of September 11. He was immediately rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

According to sources, the pilot was scheduled to operate an Air India flight from Delhi to Seoul early on Saturday. It would have been his second flight after joining Air India. Sources said a heart attack is suspected to have caused his death, although the exact cause will be determined after the final medical opinion.

The pilot had earlier worked with Air India Express and moved to Air India around two months ago. He had been associated with the Air India Express group since 2004-05.

His brother was also associated with the group and both belonged to the same batch. Their father had worked as a cabin crew member. The pilot’s brother is currently undergoing conversion training to fly the Boeing 787.

Delhi Police said it received a PCR call at Vasant Kunj North police station on Friday regarding the ill health of a guest at a hotel. Police personnel reached the spot and found the man unconscious and unresponsive. He was taken to a hospital, where he was declared brought dead, according to a statement cited by news agency ANI.

The Crime Team was subsequently called to the hotel. Police said the deceased was working as a captain with an airline and had checked into the hotel on September 10.

According to police, on the evening of September 11, the pilot’s brother contacted the hotel manager after the deceased failed to respond to his calls. The manager went to the room, which was locked from inside, and opened it using the hotel’s master key. The pilot was found unconscious and unresponsive inside.

A post-mortem examination was conducted at Safdarjung Hospital on September 12.

Police said the exact cause of death would be ascertained after the final opinion is received. Further inquiry is underway, while inquest proceedings under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) are being conducted.