June 18: A pilot flying a transatlantic flight died midway on the journey today. The Houston Chronicle named the pilot as Captain Craig Lennel, 60, who passed away from natural causes aboard Continental Airlines Flight 61, a Boeing 777, between Brussels and Newark, New Jersey. The airline said Captain Lennel had been with Continental Airlines for 32 years.
The aircraft landed safely with the co-pilot at the controls. According to the Associated Press, the 247 passengers were not told of the pilot’s death.
Pilots for American airlines can fly until the age of 65, although a medical is required every six months over the age of 60.
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