While flying between Gallup N.M. and Winslow, A.Z., my passenger
pulled out a peppermint candy, handed it to me and retrieved another
for herself. I popped mine in my mouth, took a gulp from my water
bottle and went back to enjoying the view. Shortly thereafter, my
passenger starts gagging. When she had tossed the lozenge in her
mouth we hit a bit of turbulence and the candy tried to enter her
windpipe whole. A look of distress crossed her face as I quickly
realized what had happened. Her involuntary gag reflex went into
overdrive as she struggled to breathe. A feeling of helplessness
crossed over me as I realized we were 35 miles from the nearest
airport and it would be several minutes at best before we could land.
Even if I set the airplane down on I-40 it would be at least 5-6
minutes. That would lead to me risking the lives of others. With no
autopilot and while flying in rough air, an attempt at the Heimlich
maneuver would undoubtedly lead to an out of control aircraft over
mountainous terrain. What would you have done.
--
Joe Schneider
8437R
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