Posted on 04/02/2012 11:39:52 PM PDT by Free ThinkerNY
STURGEON BAY, Wis. (AP) — An 80-year-old woman was able to successfully land a twin-engine airplane in northeastern Wisconsin after her husband became unconscious at the controls and died.
Door County Sheriff Terry Vogel says the dispatch center was told just after 5 p.m. Monday that a Cessna about 6 miles south of Sturgeon Bay had declared an emergency.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
God Bless you Sweetheart, and may your husband rest in peace.
A remarkable story, especially flying a twin on one engine.
I am not diminishing the heroics of her action, but at his age, he had probably been flying for many years, and her along with him, so she was probably somewhat qualified to handle the emergency landing.
You said it. Wow.
She very likely had right seat training.
prayers for her and the family.
Poor lady, but glad she got down.
Years ago, I remember seeing a TV show where this same thing happened, except it was Lassie who landed the plane.
Lmao
Then after she landed she told the air traffic controller that Timmy had fallen down a well and she led him to the spot.
The guy was 81.
Neighbor of mine is 82 and still today one of the best aerobatic trainers in the world.
Pitts and Aeronca.
She possibly had gone through the AOPA Pinch Hitter training program, but the fact that she was able to handle an engine failure problem makes me suspect she had additional training. It may have occurred on final approach to landing just before landing and would not be to difficult, but in level flight and going through the steps required to maintain control of the airplane takes some doing.
http://www.avweb.com/news/safety/183023-1.html
One of the best instructors I ever flew with was 96 at the time I took a bi-annual review with him. He was still sharp as a tack, but he had decided to retire and I was his last student. That is an entry in my logbook that I will alway prize.
He was born in 1903 , year that the Wright brothers flew, but did not quite make though the first century of flight. He passed away at 99.
Sounds like a very fine lesson.
I once went up with Rob Holland in his modified Pitts and was WOWed.
She landed ok with one engine out. Even more amazing!
Wisconsin 80 year old Sturgeon Bay woman lands plane after pilot (husband) has heart attack and dies
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