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Unnerved passengers feared for their lives after a plane was forced to make an emergency landing when passengers and crew passed out mid-flight.

The American Airlines flight, which was flying from Brazil to the United States, was travelling at a height of more than 30,000ft when three members of staff became ill.

This is the second time this week that the US airline has been forced to ground a plane as a result of a mystery illness on board .

According to reports, Flight 904 which left Rio de Janeiro for Miami around 11pm yesterday, but was forced to change direction and land in Brasilia, Brazil.

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(Image: Google Maps)

Four people complained of lightheadedness sparking fears there could be contaminated air on board.

Pilots were then forced to ground the plane 580 miles away from its departure point.

A source said: ""We made an emergency landing because crew members and passengers passed out and became unwell.

"It sounds exactly like what happened on the other flight with us not being allowed off the plane for two hours.

"One of the crew said something about oven cleaner reacting badly."

The Boeing 777 aircraft is believed to be the same as another one which was grounded following a 'medical emergency' on Wednesday.

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The plane - a Boeing 777 - is thought to be the same model as the one that was forced to divert back to London Heathrow following a 'medical emergency' on Wednesday.

The American Airlines flight which had been scheduled to land in Los Angeles, California turned back to London after 15 people on board fell ill.

(Image: Lee Gunn)

Medical staff were on hand to assist passengers when the plane made it to land.

A spokesman for American Airlines said: "Flight 904 diverted to Brasilia after one passenger and three flight attendants complained of lightheadedness.

"The aircraft landed safely at Brasilia at 12.37am and was met by paramedics who evaluated the passenger and crew members. None requested further medical attention.

"Our maintenance team is currently inspecting the aircraft and performing a thorough maintenance check.

'Out of an abundance of caution, the flight was canceled last night and our passengers have been reaccommodated on other flights."