Continental Pilot Dies in Flight

[Amby 490]

DEVELOPING STORY: The captain of a Continental Airlines flight en route from Brussels, Belgium, to Newark, N.J., died during the trip.

The pilot died Thursday aboard Continental Flight 61, and two co-pilots took over the Boeing 777 aircraft's controls, FAA spokesman Les Dorr told FOX News.

The plane with 247 passengers aboard was scheduled to make an emergency landing at Newark Liberty International Airport about noon EDT. It left Brussels at 9:45 a.m. local time, CBS News reported.

There are two first officers aboard the flight who are flying the plane and a reserve crew, who will be handling the landing in Newark, according to CBS.

Continental Airlines released a statement saying the deceased Newark-based pilot was 61 years old, had 21 years of service with the company and died in flight of natural causes.

"The crew on this flight included an additional relief pilot who took the place of the deceased pilot," Continental said. "The flight continued safely with two pilots at the controls. The company has been in touch with his family and we extend our deepest sympathies."

FAA spokeswoman Arlene Salac said the airline alerted federal authorities around 10:30 Thursday morning that Flight 61 was being flown by two co-pilots.

Salac said the plane will receive priority handling when it lands around noon.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,527076,00.html

[mawilson 2,133]

Awww. The terrorists win again.

[Amby 490]

Awww. The terrorists win again.

so they said there was a co-pilot and also another pilot who was just riding along so they were able to land safely. the fog at newark is so bad you can't even see the plane though.

[ddartt1 2]

That's scarry! Am glad the flight continued safely. Deepest condolences to the pilots family.

[mawilson 2,133]

That's scarry! Am glad the flight continued safely. Deepest condolences to the pilots family.

Thanks - I'll pass it along to his family.

[Jonara 0]

That's scarry! Am glad the flight continued safely. Deepest condolences to the pilots family.

Thanks - I'll pass it along to his family.

LOL

[bhajishah 4]

Natural causes while flying a plane?? Sounds like COntinental should beef up thier health evals to include dying naturally of old age, expected natural death within a yr, guy should have been put on hospice care instead of flying plane . WOW!! here we go with ageism debate, but then ago some jobs are not intended for Babjis who are going to die of natural causes. while all others might die of untatural causes (crashing into the ocean at 600 mph). I hpe nobody dies of natural causes while wife having sex with . She would feel bad.

[meowmeowmeow 1]

RIP