Woman lands plane after husband loses consciousness in midair
Wisconsin NewsIn Door County, 80-year-old Helen Collins of Sturgeon Bay landed a twin-engine Cessna plane after her 81-year-old husband, John, became unconscious at the controls. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
In Door County, 80-year-old Helen Collins of Sturgeon Bay landed a twin-engine Cessna plane after her 81-year-old husband, John, became unconscious at the controls. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
It started around 5 p.m. Monday, April 2, when a Cessna declared an emergency about six miles south of Sturgeon Bay. The woman is not a pilot but had no choice except try to fly the plane after her 81-year-old husband lost consciousness due to a medical emergency.
Door County officials said a certified pilot flew alongside the woman to coach her. But things got more complicated when the plane’s right engine ran out of fuel and lost power. A few moments later, the woman made her final approach and landed at the Door County Cherryland Airport. Once on the ground, the plane skidded for a-thousand feet before stopping.
The woman suffered minor injuries in the landing, and was taken to a hospital for treatment. Her husband was pronounced dead at the hospital. Their names were not immediately released, and the FAA is investigating.
The airport’s director said Helen had some flight training a number of years ago but wasn’t familiar with the controls on the airplane. The couple own C-and-S Manufacturing, a small company in Door County.
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