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Alaska Airlines pilot loses consciousness midair; flight diverted

From Tina Burnside, CNN

February 1, 2013 -- Updated 1135 GMT (1935 HKT)

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Flight 473 from Los Angeles to Seattle was diverted to Portland, Oregon
• The captain lost consciousness midair, Alaska Airlines says
• The first officer took over the flight, the airline says
• A doctor on the plane treated the captain until the flight landed, the airline says

(CNN) -- An Alaska Airlines flight was diverted to Portland, Oregon, after the captain lost consciousness and the first officer was forced to take over, an airline spokesman said.

The incident occurred Thursday night aboard Flight 473 from Los Angeles to Seattle, airline spokesman Paul McElroy said.

When the captain lost consciousness, the first officer took over and piloted the aircraft to the closest airport, he said.

A doctor on board the airplane treated the pilot until it landed in Portland and medical personnel arrived, he said.

There were 116 passengers and five crew members on board the plane, which landed in Portland without incident, according to the airline.

The airline did not release the name of the captain but said he has been flying with Alaska for 28 years. The first officer has been with the airline for 11 years.

The condition of the captain was not immediately available, the airline spokesman said