US plane makes emergency landing, pilot dies of heart attack

A United Airlines flight made an emergency landing in Boise, Idaho after its pilot suffered a mid-air heart attack from which he later died, an Airline spokesperson said on Friday.

United flight 1603 was en-route from Houston, Texas to Seattle, Washington when the incident occurred.

The Boeing 737 landed safely in Boise where the pilot was taken to hospital.

The plane, which was carrying 167 passengers and crew, continued to its scheduled destination several hours later, after a replacement pilot was found.

"I am sad to confirm that our co-worker passed away last night. Our thoughts are with his family at this time," United representative Christen David said in an email on Friday.


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