Continental (Airlines) Captain Dies Mid-Flight

[sabra]

Source: CBS

Plane Departed From Brussels, Destined For Newark; Reserve Crew On Flight To Manage Emergency Landing
NEWARK, N.J. (CBS) ―

A Continental Airlines flight from Brussels will be making an emergency landing at Newark Liberty International Airport after the plane's captain died mid-flight Thursday morning, CBS 2 has learned.

Federal Aviation Administration officials say Continental Flight 61, a Boeing 777, will land at Newark at noon. Newark was the flight's final destination. It left Brussels at 9:45 a.m.

It's not known what caused the pilot to become ill or how he died.

There is no word yet as to how many passengers are on board the flight.

Officials say there are two first officers on the flight and a reserve crew as well. One of the first officers is piloting the plane.


Read more: http://wcbstv.com/breakingnewsalerts/continental.pilot.dies.2.1049850.html

[MADem]

1. Quel bummer. That has to be distressing for the crew, certainly. NT

[Amerigo Vespucci]

2. Continental Airlines Pilot Dies on Flight From Brussels to Newark

Source: Fox News

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

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

The plane was scheduled to land in Newark about 11:43 a.m. EDT.

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

[Soylent Brice]

3. says of natural causes, but no age of piot listed. either way

condolences to the family.

[47of74]

4. I just checked CNN - Continental is saying he was 61 years old and had 21 years with them

EDIT: Include the link.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/06/18/pilot.dead/index.html

[Historic NY]

5. Newark-based pilot was 61 years old,had 21 years of service

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.

[Soylent Brice]

7. gotcha. thanks. : ) for whatever reason i thought i read "Flight 61"

[santamargarita]

16. I wouldn't believe a goddamn Fox News fuck if they said the...

Sun will rise in the morning - I'd get a 2nd opinion!

[WriteDown]

6. Just wait for the lawsuits from passengers...

They are coming for sure.

[TheCoxwain]

9. And pray,what might the grounds be? nt

[WriteDown]

10. PTSD

is my guess.

[Posteritatis]

13. Professional plaintiff-ing, whatever the *claimed* grounds would be (nt)

[high density]

11. I'm sure Olbermann will come up for some reason to demand that AIG pay

:eyes:

[Gore1FL]

12. I can see if they actually crash landed because of it

But having the plane flown by someone competent and stationed on board for this sort of purpose sort of negates any grounds for complaint.

[Tab]

8. Update: Flight lands safely

Plane with dead pilot lands safely in Newark, NJ
 
NEWARK, N.J. – The Federal Aviation Administration says a plane carrying a pilot who died in mid-flight has landed safely at the airport in Newark, N.J.

Spokeswoman Arlene Salac says Continental Airlines Flight 61 landed at 11:49 a.m.

Airline spokeswoman Kelly Cripe says the pilot died of natural causes Thursday on the flight from Brussels, Belgium, to Newark.

Cripe says he was a 61-year-old man with more than 20 years of service to the airline.

She says the flight continued safely with two other pilots at the controls.

Cripe says the Boeing 777 carried 247 passengers.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090618/ap_on_re_us/us_pilot_dies

[LuckyLib]

17. OF course it landed safely. There was no doubt a combined 60 years of experience among the other

flight deck crew members.

[Posteritatis]

14. From the "Annoucnements You Don't Want To Hear Over The PA" Department.. (nt)

[undeterred]

15. On one newscast they said it was asked on the plane

"Is there a pilot on board? We have a medical emergency."

I hope what they really said was "Is there a doctor on board?"