Continental Airline Flight 61 whose pilot died in mid-flight landed safely at Newark airport, New Jersey, just before noon on Thursday, June 18. Photo Credit: Video GrabJune 18, 2009, (Sawf News) - Continental Airline Flight 61 whose pilot died in mid-flight landed safely at Newark airport, New Jersey, just before noon on Thursday, June 18.
Nearly 247 passengers were on board the flight from Brussels, Belgium to Newark, when the 61-year-old pilot died of natural causes.
The aircraft, a Boeing 777, was piloted to a safe landing by two co-pilots on board.
According to a Continental Airline spokesperson, the pilot had 32 years of service to the airline.
A few hours into the flight, cabin crew made an announcement to find out if a doctor was on board.
"It was halfway towards the trip that they started calling for a doctor," said passenger Michael Delcampo, of Florida, who was flying to New Jersey to visit his father-in-law in Rumson. "They went about it the right way. I was watching TV. I didn't know what was going on. I didn't know the pilot died."
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