American Airlines Capt. Michael Johnston died of a heart-attack mid-flight from Phoenix to Boston early Monday morning, his wife Betty Jean Johnston told NBC News.<br />The 57-year-old veteran pilot had a double-bypass heart surgery in 2006, but had otherwise been in good health, his wife said, adding that the airline required Johnston to have a physical every six months to continue piloting.<br />Johnston's final flight, which carried 147 passengers and five crew members, was diverted to Syracuse, New York.<br />The airline said the co-pilot landed the jet safely at 7 a.m. ET Monday.<br />"We landed and had no idea what was going on," said passenger Louise Anderson.<br />"Airport security was waiting for us.<br />They let us know that they were going to get another crew to fly us to Boston."
