After the pilot suffered a medical emergency mid-air, a passenger with no flight experience took over and landed the aircraft at Palm Beach International Airport. An audio recording published by CNN shows the intense moment when the passenger contacts air traffic control to get some guidance on how to land the single-engine Cessna, remaining remarkably calm the entire time.
"I've got a serious situation here. My pilot has gone incoherent, and I have no idea how to fly the airplane,” said the passenger, who was flying over the coast of Florida at the time.
Robert Morgan, experienced air traffic controller and flight instructor, responded to the call, asking for the plane’s position.
“I have no idea,” responds the now-pilot of the aircraft.
Luckily for the man, Morgan was able to pull an image of the Cessna’s controls and, combined with his experience as an instructor, begin providing directions on how to slowly descend the plane into Palm Beach International Airport in Florida.
Remarkably, without even the navigation screen turned on, the passenger was able to bring the plane down into a soft landing at the airport.
"You just witnessed a couple of passengers land that plane," the tower operator told a nearby pilot waiting for takeoff.
"Did you say the passengers landed the airplane?" responded the pilot.
"Oh, my God. Great job."
[H/T: CNN]
