14 April,2009 11:05 AM IST | | Agencies
A passenger landed a twin-engine plane at Southwest Florida International Airport in the USA 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 had 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 the state of Connecticut who is rated to fly the King Air aircraft. The plane landed safely in about 15 to 20 minutes.
