SEATTLE (AP) — An Alaska Airlines passenger says those on board a Seattle-bound flight watched as the pilot fainted in the aisle, prompting an emergency landing in Portland, Ore.
The co-pilot of Flight 473 safely landed the jetliner Thursday night, after declaring an emergency. An airline spokesman says the pilot was suffering from food poisoning or a stomach virus and is in good condition.
Passenger Hylan Slobodkin told KOMO News the pilot came out of the cockpit, collapsed in the aisle and struck his head on something. A doctor aboard the flight tended to the pilot in the cabin until the plane landed and was met by medical personnel on the runway.
The Boeing 737-700 with 116 passengers and five crew members left Los Angeles for Seattle at about 6:30 p.m.
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