Craig Lenell was a Continental Airlines pilot who died during a flight from Brussels, Belgium, to Newark, New Jersey, on June 18, 2009. He was believed to be in perfect health and had passed physicals twice a year before his death.

After Lennel died of an apparent heart attack, two co-pilots took over the controls and the plane landed without incident.

Continental Airlines Flight 61 took off from Brussels, Belgium, on June 18, 2009, with 247 passengers on board. Roughly three-and-a-half hours into the eight-hour flight, co-pilots believed that Lennel had fallen asleep and tried to wake him. After they were unable, flight attendants asked the passengers if a doctor was on the plane. Dr. Julien Struyven, a cardiologist, came forward and attempted to revive Lennel, but it was too late.http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1193977/Pilot-Continental-Airlines-passenger-jet-dies-mid-flight.html

The two co-pilots took over controls of the plane and it landed safely at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey hours later. The passengers on board were not notified of the incident, but knew of the tragedy after rescue crews greeted the plane upon landing. Many stated that the flight crew "did an incredible job" handling the situation.http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1193977/Pilot-Continental-Airlines-passenger-jet-dies-mid-flight.html

"He was the kindest, gentlest man I've ever known. He would do anything for anyone"—Lynda Lenellhttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1193977/Pilot-Continental-Airlines-passenger-jet-dies-mid-flight.html

"Flying was his life. He died doing what made him happiest"—Lynda Lenellhttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1193977/Pilot-Continental-Airlines-passenger-jet-dies-mid-flight.html