In a remarkable turn of events, a female passenger aboard a small plane en route from New York to Martha’s Vineyard displayed astonishing composure and skill as she successfully landed the aircraft after the pilot fell unconscious during the approach. The incident took place on Saturday, shortly before 3:15 p.m., when the six-seater Piper Meridian turboprop plane was preparing to land at Martha’s Vineyard Airport.
The pilot, a 79-year-old individual, suddenly suffered a severe medical episode, rendering him unconscious and unable to continue operating the aircraft. Sensing the urgency of the situation, his quick-thinking 68-year-old female companion took control of the plane, exhibiting exceptional courage and determination. Despite the challenging circumstances, she managed to skillfully guide the aircraft to the ground, albeit without the landing gear deployed.
Eyewitnesses reported that the landing, which occurred several hundred feet from the runway, was rough, resulting in the left wing of the plane fracturing upon impact. However, incredibly, the woman survived the crash with only minor injuries, a testament to her remarkable piloting abilities under extreme pressure.
Both occupants were immediately rushed to a local hospital, where the woman received a thorough evaluation before being released. However, the pilot’s condition remained critical, necessitating his urgent transfer to a hospital in Boston via helicopter. As of the latest update, there has been no additional information regarding his current state.
Following the incident, Martha’s Vineyard Airport temporarily suspended operations on its primary runway. Although the runway was reopened to some traffic approximately two hours later, certain flights scheduled for that afternoon and evening had to be rescheduled for the following day. Meanwhile, the damaged aircraft, identified as belonging to Access Yacht Sales Inc, based in Norwalk, Connecticut, was carefully removed from the scene and securely stored elsewhere during the night.
The Federal Aviation Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board, and the Massachusetts State Police have initiated a thorough investigation into the crash.
