Passenger Lands Plane After Pilot Dies

The plane was on autopilot and climbing passed 10,000 feet when the pilot died.

By: Jamie Burch | WKRG-TV
Published: April 13, 2009

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

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)