NEWARK, N.J., June 18 (UPI) -- A Continental Airlines trans-Atlantic flight whose pilot died mid-flight Thursday landed safely at the Newark, N.J, airport, officials said.
Officials from the Federal Aviation Administration and Continental Airlines both said Flight 61, originating in Brussels, landed safely at Newark Liberty Airport just before noon, CNN reported.
The airline said the 61-year-old pilot, with 21 years of service with Continental, died "apparently of natural causes."
When asked whether the 247 passengers aboard the Boeing 777 aircraft were alerted to the situation, a Continental repeated that the plane landed safely at the airport.
The airline said the flight crew included a relief pilot who took the place of the deceased man.
