NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- Continental Airlines says one of their pilots died in mid-flight during a transatlantic flight Thursday morning. The pilot was a 61-year-old man with more than 20 years of service to the airline.

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Airline spokeswoman Kelly Cripe says the pilot died of natural causes Thursday on Flight 61 from Brussels, Belgium, to Newark, N.J.

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

The Federal Aviation Administration reported that the plane carrying the dead pilot landed safely at the airport in Newark, N.J.

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

The Boeing 777 was carrying 247 passengers.