Passenger lands plane after pilot dies mid-flight

[NM]

from news.com.au:

A PASSENGER has landed a twin-engine plane at a US airport after the pilot died mid-flight.

Doug White, 56, landed the King Air plane at Southwest Florida International Airport and saved the lives of his wife and two daughters.
...
Mr White, who has been licensed for single-engine planes for 20 years but had never flown a plane so large, took the controls and radioed for help.

 

[samh004]

I've always wondered what would happen if a drama in the air caused a passenger to land a passenger jet.

Must of been a great feeling landing safely.

 

[Flashback]

I've always wondered what would happen if a drama in the air caused a passenger to land a passenger jet.

Must of been a great feeling landing safely.

And a big sigh of relief! I wonder to what extent the radio'd help was in regards to helping him land or whether the majority he did without guidance.

 

[Evan]

It was very lucky there was a pilot onboard, sure only qualified on a single but with some instructions and clear weather the task should not be impossible. He still did a great job to have a good landing

 

[Maca44]

The news article suggests it was a King Air twin engine and only had the pilot (deceased), a husband who landed the aircraft together with his wife and two daughters on board. Be that as it may, and not being a pilot, I would imagine that due to the weight etc a twin engine would be harder to land than a single engine aircraft

 

[NM]

Also note that not only was the passenger that landed the aircraft a qualified pilot, but he was also the owner of the aircraft. So he had likely sat up front a few times on that very aircraft during landings.

 

[pauly7]

It was very lucky there was a pilot onboard,

I don't want to imagine if this wasn't the case...

 

[straitman]

You need to remember with this story that the King Air is only a slightly overgrown single with an engine on each wing. Not at all like landing an airliner.

Having said that it was still a good job.

 

[russ]

The audio is fascinating listening: http://www.faa.gov/data_research/accident_incident/2009-4-12/media/kingairsave.mp3

 

[samh004]

That's pretty cool listening to the audio.

Makes me think learning to fly wouldn't be too hard.

 

[straitman]

The audio is fascinating listening: http://www.faa.gov/data_research/accident_incident/2009-4-12/media/kingairsave.mp3

An interesting listen. How many people would have been as calm as the guy on the audio clip :?:

 

[samh004]

Well, he was a pilot of smaller aircraft, so he wasn't a complete novice, he knew where some of the controls were, just not which settings they should be at. Compare that to someone who's never flown a plane in his life, and there's a large difference.

Just listening to it really got me interested in learning to fly myself, though it looks to be a costly thing to learn, and pointless if I don't then become an airline pilot/or win the lottery to bankroll continued flying.

 

[straitman]

Well, he was a pilot of smaller aircraft, so he wasn't a complete novice, he knew where some of the controls were, just not which settings they should be at. Compare that to someone who's never flown a plane in his life, and there's a large difference.

There most certainly is quite a difference. I have seen experienced pilots handle some situations a lot worse than this. As an experience flying instructor, I was very impressed with the guys disposition.

 

[QF WP]

I concur...listening was bloody amazing how calm they both were. Thanks for the link!