Overview
- The captain-side heads-up display, a clear eye-level panel that shows speed and altitude, dropped during the April 8 takeoff roll and struck the Southwest Flight 568 captain.
- Shortly after departure, the first officer reported a captain incapacitation, requested a return with medical priority, and landed the Boeing 737 back in Las Vegas as air traffic control declared an emergency.
- Southwest said the captain felt unwell after takeoff and taxied the jet to the gate after the landing, and reports say medics later took him off with a mild concussion and vomiting.
- The flight left again about 90 minutes later with a replacement captain and reached Reno roughly two hours behind schedule.
- The airline and FAA confirmed the safe return, ATC audio published Tuesday detailed the exchange, and no formal investigation findings have been made public.