File photo of a Porter plane (CP Photo)

HALIFAX — A Porter Airlines flight out of Halifax was forced to turn back Saturday after the crew reported the pilot was losing consciousness.

Halifax Stanfield International Airport spokeswoman Ashley Barnes said a co-pilot was aboard Flight 243 en route to St. John’s, N.L., and brought the aircraft back to Halifax without incident at 11:44 a.m.

The plane, a Q 400 with a capacity of 70 passengers, left Halifax at 10:30 a.m. and the pilot’s problem was reported at around 11:16 a.m.

“We received a call that the pilot was needing assistance, he was losing consciousness,” said Barnes. “We had ambulances standing by.”

Barnes said the pilot was able to walk off the plane and into a waiting ambulance, although there was no word on his condition or on what caused his health problem.

He was later taken to a Halifax hospital for assessment.

Barnes said the airline brought in a replacement pilot and the flight departed for St. John’s at 1:18 p.m.