Main content

Landing a plane without a pilot

"I've got a serious problem here - my pilot has gone incoherent." What happened next ?

If you have a fear of flying, this podcast might be a bit of an uncomfortable listen. A passenger in Florida with no flying experience had to bring a plane in to land himself. The unidentified passenger can be heard talking to air traffic controller, Robert Morgan, after the pilot of the light aircraft fell unconscious. Fortunately, for the passenger - the air traffic contrroller on shift is someone who teaches new pilots. He helps to guide the man down to Palm Beach International Airport. Amol Rajan on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Today programme on Radio 4 - speaks to Alastair Rosenchein - an aviation consultant and former Boeing 747 pilot and flying instructor - about this extraordiary event. This is 5 Minutes On - Landing a plane without a pilot.

Image Credit - Robert Morgan

Release date:

Available now

5 minutes