Dramatic Audio: ATC Helps Woman Land Plane After Pilot Husband Passes Out
- Posted on May 27, 2011 at 5:00pm by
Billy Hallowell
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File this one under “worst nightmare.” After a pilot passes out, his wife — who has absolutely no flight experience at all — is forced to take the helm for a horrific 40-minute stint. Denver’s FOX31 has more:
A woman took over the controls of a small airplane when her pilot-husband started having trouble breathing and speaking on a flight from California to Colorado, authorities said. The specifics of the man‘s medical problem weren’t available.
Documents released Thursday indicate the pilot may have had hypoxia, which is when the body is deprived of an adequate supply of oxygen. The woman said her husband was slurring his speech and was unable to push the buttons…
At one point, the plane swerved away from its emergency landing route and began heading toward the high terrain of the San Juan mountains. As the plane began to drop, [an air traffic] controller attempted to reach the passenger so she could turn the plane away from the mountains. The controller eventually guided the plane toward lower terrain.
The man who was experiencing difficulty recovered in time as the plane descended and was able to land safely in Farmington, N.M.
The station has an in-depth video, including audio of the woman, with more intriguing details on this bizarre scenario:
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ying
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 5:57pmWomen are going to have to learn really quick how to ‘run’ things because men everywhere are ‘passing out’, particularly white ones.
Report Post »hempstead1944
Posted on May 28, 2011 at 8:12amThey earned their paycheck today….
Report Post »GdHUs
Posted on May 28, 2011 at 12:28amAnyone who is thinking of using Goldling to buy gold or silver, Google “ Goldline Scams” and get an education.
Report Post »USMC3BNMCO
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 9:54pmHere‘s the link to the entire audio on FAA’s website: http://www.faa.gov/data_research/accident_incident/2011-05-17/ You can also see the ground track on this website: http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N591WA
Report Post »trooper
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 7:52pmI have flown hundreds of time in small “unpressurized” aircraft and I can’t believe any compitent pilot would ever fly over 10,000 feet and not know what would happen. This story sounds a bit fishy, why didn’t the wife pass out too, maybe she’s super woman.
Report Post »TheVOR
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 8:50pmShe was using oxygen.
Perhaps the pilot’s failed…Not sure the article doesn’t say, and no hints in the audio.
However, the audio does indicate she was using oxygen.
Report Post »Avi8or
Posted on May 28, 2011 at 2:38pmI’m both a flight instructor and an EMT, so here’s some info on both aviation and medical.
In unpressurized aircraft, the pilot is required to wear O2 above 12,500 if over 30 minutes at that altitude, continuously if over 14,000, and must offer O2 to passengers over 15,000. As far as why he passed out and she didn’t, a lot of factors come in to play; cardiovascular health, nutrition, etc..
Glad this had a good outcome. I’ve got only a few hours in a Cirrus, and they’re nice planes. Props to the Great Lakes guys too. They fly into my home airport, I’ll have to throw them a hi 5 or something.
Report Post »TheVOR
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 7:18pmAny non-pilot, who is going up in a general aviation aircraft should consider the Pinch-Hitter Pilot Training Video (DVD) available at Sporty’s.
This exceptional DVD video was produced to make AOPA’s highly acclaimed Pinch-Hitter course available to you in your home. Pinch-Hitters are pilots’ companions who want to know more about flying and learn how to control and land an airplane. Uncover the mysteries of why airplanes fly. Develop basic navigation skills. Learn how to tune and talk on your radio. Understand the instruments in your cockpit. Flying is more fun when you are a participant instead of a passenger! Approx. 45 min.
http://www.sportys.com/PilotShop/product/10572
Also, a good passenger briefing should include radio operation, emergency equipment, etc…
Definition of a good landing: One you can walk away from.
Definition of a great landing: One where you can fly the plane again.
Sounds like this was a great one.
Report Post »Aaron in Polk County
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 5:34pmThat is the best Anniversary prank EVER.
Report Post »BOMUSTGO
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 5:49pmActually he faked it and hoped she would open the door and jump!
Report Post »RACERJ
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 7:13pm@BOMUSTGO
Hillarious!!! Good one.
Report Post »integrican
Posted on May 28, 2011 at 12:25pmHe should have jumped (in a fit of uncertainty)(she already did the ‘set-up’ for him)
Report Post »THEN!!!
We would see if she could land the plane!!!! ; ) BHWOOOOooooo – HAA – HA
harumph
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 5:26pmPut me in, coach.
Report Post »BOMUSTGO
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 5:21pmThey don’t say what kind of plane it was.Small single engine planes are not hard to fly.With full flaps, landing speeds would be around 45 MPH.
Report Post »BOMUSTGO
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 5:28pmIt was a Cirrus SR22. Landing speed is 69 MPH with flaps down.A little higher landing speed than a Cessna 150.
Report Post »hi
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 5:21pmI didn’t know air traffic control knew how to fly.
Report Post »BOMUSTGO
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 5:28pmSome ATC guys do fly small planes.
Report Post »dave928
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 6:57pmThe flying part is easy. The landings and takeoffs is where the FUBAR potential is the greatest. There’s NO WAY she or anyone else with NO flying experience at ALL could have landed that airplane without dinging the airplane at best and killing themselves at worst.. I have flying experience and I STILL have problems with landings. Especially in cross-winds…
Report Post »BOMUSTGO
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 5:13pmUhh..She didn’t land the plane…He husband came to and he landed it.Headline error!
Report Post »brblanch7
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 9:46pmUnfortunately, I don‘t think its a ’headline error’….The Blaze seems to rather regularly create intentionally a deceiving article title I’m guessing to lure readers to read the article, and I personally think doing something like that totally mimics what the ‘leftist’ lame-stream media lives for, leaving me not the least bit pleased with the Blaze’s editing staff (or person).
Report Post »ravinginfidel
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 5:12pmSort of like Microsoft Flight Simulator but with a bit more pressure.
Report Post »Black Manta
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 5:11pmpeople need to count their blessings…aint no such thing as luck
Report Post »the_zazzy
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 5:07pmThink of all the stories she’ll have!!!
Report Post »Now this is Art
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 5:18pmfun…now lets get to the real story: mohammed was a murderer, pedophile and hate monger. why in the world would ANYONE follow such a person? Jesus taught love and forgiveness. we should tread ALL muslims for what they are….CULT members – some are just a bit more extreme than others.
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 5:22pmYeah, and the nightmares, too. Yikes!!
Glad her hubby is OK.
How are ya, Zazzy?!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 5:30pmThis is why my father made me “closely watch” as he landed out small plane … I never had to do it .. but I think I could have if I had needed to.
Report Post »the_zazzy
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 5:34pmBeen doing well. I’ve been real busy, so I haven’t been able to blast many liberals lately! Happy Memorial Da weekend to everyone. Thank you to all who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you to all who have serve and who currently serve. You make America great!!!
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 5:51pmIncredible, simply incredible.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 10:21pmNo doubt she was shaking so hard that she could thread a sewing machine while it was running!
Cat, my second husband wanted to buy a plane. I told him I would not ride in it unless he paid for flying lessons for me. I could drive an “18” and a 4-wheeler, but not a plane. He did teach me how to sail, though.
I’ve been through some “sweating bricks” but nothing even close to what that woman went through!
Report Post »valarie
Posted on May 28, 2011 at 12:52amI would make it a condition of their continued marriage that he turn in his license. No ifs ands or buts about it.
Report Post »WSGAC
Posted on May 28, 2011 at 9:02amProof for God’s existence?
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