Woman lands plane when pilot becomes unconscious
By: Erin Davisson
Updated: April 2, 2012
Sturgeon Bay, Wis.(WFRV)- A dramatic landing today at a small airport outside of Sturgeon Bay. The Door County Sheriff's Department tells Local Five News that shortly after 5:00 Monday night, they learned that the 81 year old pilot of a Twin Engine Cessna had a medical emergency and was unconcious. The plane was being flown by his 80-year old wife, who was not a pilot.
That's when a second plane went up into the air. The pilot flew next to the distressed plane, and was able to provide instruction to the wife on the proper handling and landing of the plane.
Rescue personnel were waiting at the Door County Cherry Land airport, when the woman told them the plane was running out of gas, the right engine had already lost power, and she needed to land immediately. With help from the certified pilot, she was able to land the aircraft.
The woman was slightly injured upon landing and taken to Ministry Door County Medical Center. Her husband, the pilot, was also taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The FAA is assisting with the investigation.
