Piper pilot relies on texts from air traffic controller to perform emergency landing. Image: Jaqian/Flickr.
Struck by a freak electrical failure, a small passenger plane heading from Ireland to the picturesque Channel Island of Jersey suddenly found itself thrust into the hands of a quick-fingered air traffic controller who used mobile phone text messages to guide the stricken plane to a successful emergency landing.
According to a report in the Irish Times, the twin-engined Piper plane, which was carrying four passengers, lost all onboard electrical power, communications, and weather radar shortly after taking off from Kerry airport bound for the Bailiwick of Jersey in November of 2007.
Described as a “serious incident” in the official report of air accident investigator John Hughes, the shocking situation led to the plane’s 39-year-old pilot frantically using his mobile phone in an attempt to speak with air traffic control at either Kerry airport or nearby Cork airport.
Finally establishing contact with air traffic control at Cork, the pilot relayed the electrical outage and signalled his intention to perform an emergency landing there, only to lose audio reception.
In Cork, the air traffic controller quickly resorted to pounding out instructions to the troubled plane via mobile phone text messages, which informed the pilot that Cork had the plane on radar and that it was clear to make an approach.
Rather than immediately execute an emergency landing upon arrival at Cork, the pilot was forced to make a preliminary flyby in order for the Cork controllers to confirm that the plane’s landing gear was locked into the down position -- the electrical failure meant the Piper’s gear had to be manually cranked.
In his official report, which was released late last week, Mr. Hughes said the Cork air traffic controller “should be commended” for his quick-witted reaction to the situation, which directly contributed to “the safe resolution of the incident.”
The Other Steve - TTHAug 11th, 2008 - 18:02:39
Damn!! Thats cool. Who said GenX wasn't fast on their feet.
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