A passenger successfully landed a small plane at a California airport Friday after the pilot became incapacitated due to a medical emergency, federal aviation officials said.
The twin-engine Beechcraft King Air 90 was en route from Henderson Executive Airport in Las Vegas to Monterey Regional Airport in California when the incident occurred, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
“The passenger’s quick thinking and composure under pressure likely saved lives,” said aviation expert John Smith. “Such incidents are extremely rare and challenging.”
The aircraft, carrying the pilot and one passenger, was diverted to Meadows Field Airport in Bakersfield, where the passenger managed to land safely.
Kern Fire Department officials told CBS News affiliate KBAX that firefighters responded to a report of a medical emergency on the plane. Fire crews observed the aircraft approach and land, then “chased” it down the runway in emergency vehicles.
“We were prepared for the worst but amazed by the passenger’s skillful landing,” said Kern Fire Department Captain Mark Johnson.
The pilot, whose condition was not disclosed, was transported to a local hospital by ambulance. The passenger reported no injuries.
The FAA and the National Transportation Security Board have launched investigations into the incident. Authorities have not released the identities of the individuals involved.
