Plane lands safely in N.J. after pilot dies in mid-flight

[Sowald]

Plane lands safely in N.J. after pilot dies in mid-flight

Last Updated: Thursday, June 18, 2009 | 12:45 PM ET Comments40Recommend108CBC News

A Continental Airlines jet made an emergency landing in New Jersey Thursday after the pilot died in mid-flight and the two co-pilots took over the controls.

Emergency response vehicles were waiting as Flight 61 touched down in the rain at Newark Liberty International Airport at 11:49 a.m.

Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Arlene Salac said airline officials alerted the FAA around 10:30 a.m. ET that the Boeing 777 was being flown by two co-pilots.

Continental Airlines spokeswoman Kelly Cripe said the two co-pilots were perfectly qualified to fly the plane, which was carrying 247 passengers and an unknown number of crew from Brussels, Belgium, to Newark.

CNN reported passengers on the flight only learned about the pilot's death from reporters waiting at the Newark airport. They said there was a call for a physician during the flight, but no panic or alarm on board.

Continental Airlines said the 61-year-old pilot had worked for the airline for 21 years.

"The captain of Continental Flight 61, which was en route from Brussels to Newark, died in flight, apparently of natural causes," Continental said in a statement.

"The crew on this flight included an additional relief pilot who took the place of the deceased pilot. The flight continued safely with two pilots at the controls."