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Old April 13th 09, 09:09 PM posted to rec.aviation.ifr
tscottme
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Posts: 67
Default Kudos to ATC and Pilot

http://tinyurl.com/c35mrw

Passenger lands plane in Fort Myers after pilot dies
Monday, April 13, 2009
FORT MYERS, Fla.(AP) -- A passenger landed a twin-engine plane at Southwest
Florida International Airport after the pilot died in flight, saving five
people.

Federal Aviation Administration officials say the pilot died after takeoff
from Marco Island Executive Airport on Sunday. The plane was on autopilot
and climbing passed 10,000 feet when the pilot died.

The passenger who took the controls had been licensed for single-engine
planes for 20 years, but isn't certified to fly the King Air plane, a large
luxury model.

To instruct him, an air traffic controller called a friend in Connecticut
who is rated to fly the King Air aircraft. The plane landed safely in about
15 to 20 minutes.

The plane was headed to Jackson, Miss. The names of the pilot and passengers
have not been released.



--

Scott

"Apparently, it's OK for Obama to fire the head of General Motors, but Bush
can't fire his own U.S. attorneys."

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