Air Transport

A Continental Airlines captain died today while at the controls of a Boeing 777 over the Atlantic Ocean.

Continental says in a statement the 60-year old captain died while en route from Brussels to Newark. The carrier says because this flight had a flight crew of three pilots the relief pilot was able to take the place of the deceased pilot.

"The flight continued safely with two pilots at the controls," Continental says.

It adds the 777, which was carrying 247 passengers, landed safely at Newark just before noon local time.

Continental says it appears the pilot, who had 32 years of service with the carrier, died of natural causes.