Apr 20, 2009 | Neatorama
Passenger Landed Plane Safely After Pilot Died Mid-Flight
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 ...
Louisiana man lands plane after pilot dies
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.
Editorial: Regular guy is real hero
Doug White is a hero in Lee County and in his hometown of Archibald, La., though he'd probably scoff at the notion.
The Associated Press
|
The Associated Press
Passenger lands plane in Fla. after pilot dies
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.
Guthrie helps keep community beautiful
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.
Sponsored links
Best local coupons in Archibald
Find a local Lawyer through Lawyers.com
Get Archibald, LA contractors estimates Fast quotes from pre-screened contractors