Pilot's Heart Attack Prompts Emergency Landing

A United Airlines flight on its way to Seattle had to make an emergency landing in Boise after its pilot suffered an apparent heart attack, which turned out to be fatal. A doctor and military personnel on board attempted to save the pilot's life, while another passenger—an off-duty United pilot—stepped in to help land the plane, the AP and NBC News report. The pilot was still alive when the plane touched down, but died overnight at the hospital.

In other terrifying news involving a cockpit, reports broke in the British press yesterday about an incident in which two British pilots both fell asleep while flying an Airbus A330. The two had been taking turns napping during the flight last month, but eventually they both conked out, CBS News reports. When one finally awoke and then woke the other, they reportedly had no idea how long they'd been out. The plane was on autopilot throughout the nap. (More pilot stories.)