Allegiant pilot has seizure, forced to make emergency landing in Gainesville

Photo courtesy: Gainesville Fire Rescue

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – An Allegiant Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing Thursday morning after the pilot suffered a seizure, authorities said.

Emergency medical responders with Gainesville Fire Rescue and Alachua County Fire Rescue were called to Gainesville Regional Airport, where the plane landed just before 8:30 a.m.

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Chief Don Campbell, with Gainesville Fire Rescue, said flight crews managed to step in for the pilot and land the plane safely.

Emergency landing at Gainesville Regional Airport

Allegiant flight 1304 was scheduled to fly from Cincinnati to Punta Gorda. The original time of landing was delayed from 9:09 a.m. to 1:50 p.m., according to Punta Gorda Airport.

Campbell said all 155 people on board airbus 320 were safe and the pilot was transported to a hospital, where he was in stable condition at last check.