Brave passenger lands plane after pilot falls ill mid‑flight
A dramatic situation unfolded in the American skies. When a pilot suddenly fell ill, a female passenger took control of the aircraft and safely landed at Bakersfield Airport in California.
The incident involving the twin-engine turboprop Super King Air 350ER occurred late last week.
Passenger made emergency landing
The pilot lost consciousness and could not fulfill his duties, so the female passenger stepped in to take control and execute an emergency landing.
She received support from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) aviation and marine unit. In a recording shared online, an employee can speak calmly and provide specific instructions to the woman. Thanks to this cooperation, she landed the plane safely.
"This is a real testament to the experience of our aviation crews, the quick coordination with partners from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the teamwork of everyone involved to ensure a safe landing," said Brandon Tucker, director of the Air and Marine Branch (AMBA) in San Diego, as quoted by UPI on Tuesday.
A multi-task aircraft also participated in the operation, guiding the passenger on the correct flight path to Bakersfield Airport. The crew used radio communication and visual contact to escort the turboprop, and assistance from air traffic control was crucial.
Immediately after landing, the pilot was taken to the hospital, and the heroic passenger was unharmed.
Turboprop
According to UPI, the Super King Air 350ER can reach a maximum speed of about 250 mph, has a range of approximately 1,367 miles, and has an operational ceiling of about 5,446 feet.
This aircraft type has maritime surveillance radar, weather radar, and an electro-optical infrared sensor.
