San Francisco

Co-Pilot En Route From Houston to SFO Falls Unconscious

A United Airlines flight en route from Houston to San Francisco was diverted to an Albuquerque airport Tuesday after a co-pilot became ill during the flight and lost consciousness.

Airport spokesman Dan Jiron told NBC affiliate KOB in New Mexico that the plane landed safely at Albuquerque International Sunport airport around 8:20 a.m. The airline was working to assist the ill crew member and get the passengers to their final destinations.

It is not immediately clear what made the co-pilot ill, but Jiron told The Associated Press that the co-pilot regained consciousness and was able to walk off the plane to be transported to a hospital.

United was aware of the diversion but didn't immediately comment.

On Monday, a pilot aboard an American Airlines flight en route to Boston became ill and later died.

The 147 passengers and five crew members onboard that Airbus A320 landed safely and were met by emergency crews on the tarmac.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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