The stricken captain of a United Airlines flight that made an emergency landing died at a hospital, officials said today.
United flight 1603 from Houston to Seattle was diverted to Boise, Idaho, for the medical emergency. Airline spokeswoman Christen David said another off-duty United pilot was on the flight and assisted. The Boeing 737-900 had 161 passengers and a crew of six on board.
The flight landed safely about 8 pm local time and was met by paramedics who took the pilot to the hospital. He died overnight while undergoing treatment, said Jennifer Krajnik, spokeswoman for Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center.
A Boise airport spokeswoman said yesterday that the man suffered an apparent heart attack. The cause of death has not been announced. The airline did not give his name, citing privacy reasons.
Some passengers told KIRO-TV an announcement asked if there was a doctor on board and someone went to the cockpit to help.
