United pilot passes out mid-flight

A United Airlines pilot passed out during a flight from Houston to San Francisco, The Associated Press reports.

The flight was diverted to Albuquerque, N.M. after the incident, which happen a day after American Airlines pilot died during a flight, according to the report. 

The AP said the co-pilot regained consciousness and walked off the plane under his own power. 

{mosads}The plane was carrying 177 passengers and 10 crew members, according to the report. 

A day earlier, the pilot of American Air Flight 550, Michael Johnston, became ill during the an overnight flight on Monday, forcing the co-pilot to land the jetliner after it was diverted to Syracuse Hancock International Airport, N.Y. 

Foul play was ruled out in the case of Johnston’s death by the Onondaga County Medical Examiner’s Office on Monday.

The American Air flight was carrying 147 passengers and five crew members, including Johnston. No other passengers who were on board the plane were hurt and it was diverted safely to Syracuse. 

“We are incredibly saddened by this event, and we are focused on caring for our pilot’s family and colleagues,” American Air said in a statement provided to the AP on Monday.

The flight’s co-pilot reportedly radioed air traffic controllers to say, “American 550. Medical emergency. Captain is incapacitated.”

The co-pilot asked for a runway to land and inquired about whether medical personnel could reach the plane in time to save the pilot, according to the AP’s Monday report.