Copilot Lands 757 With 210 Aboard

An autopsy was planned for Sunday for the Continental Airlines captain who collapsed at the controls of his Boeing 757 and died on a flight from Houston, TX, to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Saturday.

The plane was diverted to McAllen, TX where the copilot made an uneventful emergency landing.

"The co-pilot consulted with Continental's operations center and arrangements were made to divert the aircraft to McAllen and to be met by an ambulance," Continental spokesman Dave Messing said. "Unfortunately, the ill pilot did not survive," he told the Houston Chronicle.

Continental spokeswoman Macky Osorio stressed the 210 passengers on the flight were never in danger, and the co-pilot landed the plane safely. She added Continental believes the pilot died of natural causes.

Lt. Paulo Herrera of the McAllen Fire Department said the pilot apparently suffered a heart attack.

"We waited for the plane to taxi to the jetway, and then we went onboard the plane," Herrera said. "The pilot was on the floor by the door. They had done compressions, CPR on him onboard the aircraft."

The pilot's name has not been released.

The flight continued to Mexico with a new crew, according Osorio.

FMI: www.continental.com