Plane makes emergency landing in Boise after pilot has fatal heart attack

BOISE -- A Seattle-bound United Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Boise after the pilot suffered a fatal heart attack.

The medical emergency on-board United Flight 1603 prompted the landing just before 8 p.m. on Thursday.

The aircraft's co-pilot, with 161 passengers on board from Houston, immediately asked to pull off the runway for help.

United Airlines told ABC News that the flight landed safely, and paramedics met the plane upon arrival and transported the crew member to the hospital.

Passengers on board say the airline did a good job, with one man tweeting, "Kudos to United for managing the incident of Flight 1603 to Seattle in such a professional way. We R now boarding and B in Seattle soon."

Hospital officials say the pilot died, and that the family has been notified.

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