The Dutch co-pilot Peter Esberte, 47 lost consciousness just 20 minutes after the Boeing 737-900 aircraft took off. The pilot then decided to return to Hat Yai airport where he made an emergency landing at 1:21 p.m.

Esberte later died on the way to hospital from the airport. The cause of death is not yet known, however, the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (Aerothai) said Esberte died of a heart attack.

Worawut Kongkositkul, in-charge of flight operations for the low cost airline, said that Esberte joined the airline last year at its launch and was completely healthy.

All 152 passengers aboard the plane remained unharmed.

The post Thai Lion Air Co-Pilot Passes out Mid Air, Dies first appeared on George Hatcher's Air Flight Disaster.