Trans-Atlantic pilot dies in the skies

Monday, 22nd June 2009

Last Thursday Continental Flight 61 landed safely in New Jersey just before noon. Each of the 247 passengers were unharmed and all was fine with the plane. The pilot, however, was dead.

Passenger Dr. Julien Struyzen examined pilot Craig Lenell onboard the plane and announced that he was clinically dead, noting that he had died of natural causes. The doctor was unable to do anything to help the pilot.

60-year-old Craig Lenell had worked for Continental for 32 years before piloting the flight from Brussels, Belgium, to Newark, New Jersey. Fortunately, there was a relief pilot onboard the plane, who was able to take over from the dead pilot and, with the help of an additional pilot, enable the flight to continue to its destination uninterrupted.

It seems that the changeover was so smooth that the passengers were entirely unaware of what had happened until they landed.

"I haven't heard anything," passenger Chris Balchuas, from Houston, Texas, commented to reporters after the flight. "They just said there was a medical emergency and were there any doctors aboard."

Investigations are underway to try and further determine the death of the pilot. However, the good news for Continental passengers is that they can be sure they are in safe hands. No matter what happens in the skies, they will reach their destination safely and smoothly.

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