After the pilot had a medical emergency, one of the passengers, a lola, was forced to take control of the airplane and execute a crash landing
EMERGENCY LANDING – A 68-year-old grandmother found herself compelled to take control of an airplane and execute a crash landing due to an unexpected medical emergency experienced by the 80-year-old pilot during the flight.
The incident unfolded on Saturday, July 15, 2023, around 3:15 p.m. at Martha’s Vineyard Airport in Massachusetts, USA, as the aircraft, identified as a Piper Meridian Turboprop six-seater plane, approached the destination. The West Tisbury Police Department reported that the pilot experienced a sudden medical condition, necessitating immediate action.
The plane had originated from Westchester, New York. Taking charge of the situation, the grandmother courageously assumed control of the aircraft, making the difficult decision to execute a crash landing on the grass adjacent to the runway, as relayed by the Massachusetts State Police.
As a result of the crash landing, damage was sustained by the left wing of the aircraft. Prompt medical attention was provided to both the pilot and the passenger as they were swiftly transported to a nearby hospital. The grandmother suffered only minor injuries, while the pilot’s condition was reported to be critical.
Due to the severity of the pilot’s condition, urgent measures were taken to airlift him to a Boston hospital via helicopter, as stated by the authorities. The police described his condition as “serious” and “life-threatening.” Both the pilot and the passenger are residents of Connecticut.
Meanwhile, the National Transportation Safety Board, along with the Federal Aviation Administration and other relevant authorities, has initiated an investigation into the incident to determine its causes and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
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