Pilot dies during flight from Brussels to Newark - A pilot on a Continental Airlines flight died in mid-flight and the plane was due to make an emergency landing under the control of two co-pilots near New York City, authorities said on Thursday.

"The captain of Continental flight 61, which was en route from Brussels to Newark, died in flight, apparently of natural causes," Continental said in a statement.

"The crew on this flight included an additional relief pilot who took the place of the deceased pilot. The flight continued safely with two pilots at the controls," it said.

The plane was a Boeing 777 with 247 passengers on board.

The pilot, 61, was based in Newark and had worked for Continental for 21 years, the airline said.

Continental Airlines shares were down more than 5 percent outpacing declines in the airlines index.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols and Deepa Seetharaman, Editing by Sandra Maler)