Pilot dies flying plane to the US

CO-PILOTS were forced to take over the controls and land a transatlantic passenger jet in the US yesterday after the captain died mid-flight.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said Continental Airlines flight 61 from Brussels landed safely at Newark Airport in New Jersey shortly before 5pm.

Earlier, its 61-year-old pilot died en route of natural causes.

Passengers told CNN they were not told of the situation, only that an announcement for a doctor was made during the flight.

In a statement, Continental expressed its deepest sympathies to the pilot’s family.

The Boeing 777 took off yesterday morning from Brussels carrying about 250 passengers.

The crew included an additional relief pilot who took over from the dead captain, Continental said.

As it approached its destination for landing, the jet was given priority handling amid poor weather.

The FAA said the cause of death of the pilot was not known.

Alison Duquette, spokeswoman for the FAA, said the first officers on board were fully trained and that there was no additional risk to passenger safety.

“I’m sure (this kind of thing) has happened before,” she added.

The dead pilot had worked with the airline for more than 20 years.

Continental Airlines is the world’s fifth largest airline.