It sounds like a scene straight out of a movie, but for one Californian woman, it was a terrifying reality.
What started as a routine flight from Las Vegas to Monterrey quickly turned into an emergency when the pilot suffered a cardiac arrest, forcing the twin-engine plane to be diverted to Bakersfield. With the pilot incapacitated, a courageous female passenger stepped up to take control.
Receiving guidance from air traffic controllers at Meadows Field, the passenger managed to steer the aircraft to safety. Kern County’s airport director, Ron Brewster, shared that emergency services were on high alert, ready to respond as soon as the plane landed. “As soon as the aircraft came to a stop, medical teams were there within seconds,” he told NBC.
Audio released from the incident captures instructions given to the passenger, including keeping the plane’s speed at around 132 mph—critical advice for landing successfully. Despite having no prior flight experience, she was able to remain calm under pressure.
While TV shows like Mythbusters have demonstrated that an average person can land a plane with guidance from air traffic control, it’s still an extraordinary feat in a real-life emergency.
Sadly, the pilot did not survive the medical emergency and was pronounced dead at the hospital. While the woman remains unnamed, Brewster noted that she handled the situation with as much grace as possible, despite the tragic outcome.
It was a harrowing experience, but her quick thinking and bravery likely saved lives.
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