Archibald News

When the pilot of the twin-engine Beech aircraft passed out and died mid-flight, passenger Doug White of Archibald, Louisiana, took over the plane and landed it safely: "We've had situations where passengers land airplanes before, but this is the first time I actually heard a controller actually tell the passenger to push this button and turn this ...

A Louisiana man with limited flying experience managed to safely land a two-engine turboprop on the weekend after the plane's pilot died suddenly.

Doug White is a hero in Lee County and in his hometown of Archibald, La., though he'd probably scoff at the notion.

Doug White and his family had just enjoyed a smooth takeoff and were ascending through the clouds when the pilot guiding their twin-engine plane tilted his head back and made a guttural sound.

The pilot, Joe Cabuk, was unconscious. And though White had his pilot's license, he had never flown a plane as large as this.

'I need help. I need a King Air pilot to talk to. We're in trouble,' he radioed.

Then he turned to his wife and two daughters: 'You all start praying hard.' Behind him, his wife trembled. Sixteen-year-old Bailey cried. Eighteen-year-old Maggie threw up.

Frances Guthrie, known locally as a quiet 'go to' volunteer leader in the community, has dedicated her talent and energies to her church, the arts, beautification and to those less fortunate.