Pilot dies on trans-Atlantic flight

(CNN) — The pilot of Continental Flight 61 died Thursday as the plane flew from Brussels, Belgium, to Newark, New Jersey, the Federal Aviation Administration and Continental Airlines said.

The 60-year-old Newark-based pilot died of “apparently of natural causes” about halfway through the flight, the airline said. He had 32 years of service with Continental, it said.

The pilot’s family identified him to CNN as Craig Lenell.

The airline said the crew on the flight included an additional relief pilot who took the place of the deceased man, and “the flight continued safely with two pilots at the controls.” The Boeing 777 landed safely at Newark International Airport at 11:49 a.m. ET Thursday, the airline said. No further details were given.