I lost the airport. Somebody better get here
in a hurry. I don't know if I have enough gas. It's a hell of a place to be. I don't
feel good. That's it, pull, full power, full power, full power, go up, up, up, up, pull,
pull, pull, pull, pull, up a little bit, pull up Hellen. Pull up! You're not gonna make
it. No don't dive for the runway. Do not dive for the runway... It's a Monday morning, April 2nd, 2012. 81
year old pilot John Collins and his 80 year old wife Helen have spent the past few days
relaxing by the ocean and eating out with family and friends in southwest Florida. John
and Helen took off from Marco Island Airport in their twin engine Cessna 414 for the two
leg, 1200 nautical mile trip home to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, about 35 miles northeast of
Green Bay. After a brief stop in Rome, Georgia to refuel the twin Cessna, John Collins strapped
into the left seat and took off around 2pm for the final 700 nautical mile 3 hour stretch
of the journey to Sturgeon Bay. Helen decided to relax in the passenger cabin and do some
reading for the remainder of the trip. According to news articles John had not been feeling
well on Thursday and the couple's son James Collins, also a pilot, wanted to meet them
in Rome, Georgia in order to fly the last leg of the trip home for John. Son Richard
Collins said, "He wasn't right. You could tell something was wrong. He said he had a
sore neck." But John Collins said he would fly himself. By all accounts nothing out of
the ordinary happened for the next two hours and 50 minutes. After descending from his
cruise altitude somewhere between Green Bay and Sturgeon Bay John called for his wife
Helen to come to the cockpit because he was having trouble breathing. At her husband's
urging some 30 years prior Helen had taken enough flying lessons to learn how to take-off
and land a small trainer. She had soloed but she chose not to continue her training. Helen,
who was described by her son to be about as frail as frail could be, now had to take over
control of the high performance complex twin engine aircraft. Details are vague about what
happened in the next few minutes. It is likely that Helen immediately donned an aviation
headset and contacted the Green Bay Air Traffic Controllers John had already been talking
to. In addition the Unicom frequency of the uncontrolled destination airport was tuned
into the second radio. Thankfully Helen is able to contact the Sturgeon Bay Airport where
her son is waiting for his parents to arrive. I have it in sight. My present altitude is about 2500 feet. Okay
are you talking to Green bay or to Sturgeon Bay? Helen are you calling Sturgeon Bay or talking
to Green Bay Air Traffic Control? I'm doing fine but I'm getting too close to
the airport to land right now. I'll have to make another turn. Helen are you going to Green Bay or are you
going to Sturgeon Bay, over? I'm not sure, I'm at, I'm over the Sturgeon Bay Airport.
Okay very good. Are you uh talking to Green Bay at all or are you only talking to me here
at Sturgeon Bay Airport? Uh, it seems like I have two different voices. Uhm, they said
somebody said they'd have a pilot there shortly to talk me down. Okay very good. I'm the pilot at Sturgeon
Bay Airport and I, I hear the aircraft just fly over. Uh, Helen if you could continue
to circle right around the airport as you see it. Uh, we'll coordinate what we're going
to... the approach we're going to make here. Okay? Okay will do. Can you tell me how much
fuel you have? The fuel gauges. Can you locate the fuel gauges and tell me how much fuel
you have? Half, half tanks, full tanks, or <garbled> Uhm, I'm not sure. We just came
from Rome, Georgia so they're not, uhm, they're not real full. They're down the first, the
left tank is a little over the one mark and the right tank is a little under the one mark.
Okay very good. Uh, standby. Okay Helen, uh, is John in the cockpit in
the left seat and is his seat belt shoulder harness' on, over? Uh, no it is not. I don't
know if I can get it on him or not. He took it off right when this was happening. That's
fine. Uh, make sure your shoulder harnesses are on though and your seatbelt is secure
and we're working on the plan right now, standby. Okay I've got mine on. Okay Helen, uhm, we're going to launch another
aircraft. It'll come up and it'll fly right next to you and give you instructions and
we'll fly right with you all the way down to the airport. There'll also be somebody
on the ground watching you, over. Okay I got it. Okay just continue to circle the airport.
We'll be up there in about 10 minutes so just keep the power setting where it is. Keep the
configuration of the airplane the same. Just keep circling around the airport at the altitude
and the airspeed that you're at. Okay you're doing a fine job Helen. Just continue
to fly like... My air speed is about 170 right now. Okay that's fine. That's good protection
for the configuration of the airplane. You do not have any flaps down, is that correct? I got it. You have no flaps down is that correct?
That is correct, and, and the gear is still up. Okay very good. We'll continue in that
configuration until the, another aircraft comes up next to you. It'll be a blue and
white aircraft. I'll be talking to you on the radio and we've got another voice on the
radio, a female voice and she will be talking to you also. She's familiar with the aircraft.
And keep your speed just where it is. That's a good safe speed. We'll have you reduce the
power once the aircraft comes up next to you. Do you want me to put my flaps down? Don't
do that yet. Sturgeon Bay Unicom, there is a pilot that has launched a plane that's familiar
with that aircraft that's going to come on shortly. Please follow their instructions.
I know everybody's trying to help but, uh, whiskey tango just wait. There's a aircraft
on the way that's going to escort you down, with a pilot that's familiar with that aircraft.
Thank you. Hi Helen this is Cathy. Hi Cathy. It's a hell
of a place to be. I know but it sounds like you're doing great. Well I did have, I did
solo but that's as far as I went. Yeah but that's fantastic and you've got a lot of air
time with your hubby. My hubby is the guy that's going to go airborne
and just kind of talk you down. Where, where is he located right now? He's gonna take off
from the airport in about five minutes. He's, uh, here at the airport. Helen did you copy? Yes I copied. My cell phone was on the floor.
I gotta get it and turn it on again. Okay. Do they have emergency services out there?
They're standing by by the terminal. And, uh, Rob thought he'll take off and come up
near you and help, uh, work you down. We thought you should probably land to the north. My cell phone is ringing right now. Is that
you guys? I hate to take off the headphones. So just
disregard it. We're all here on the radio. Thank you. So the plan is for you to land to the north. All right I got it. And the winds are light.
And just a couple things to remember. And I'm just going to talk to you about this while
they get the airplane ready and launch. Okay go ahead. You don't ever want the air speed
to get below a hundred. You probably know that right? Yes I do. How do I control that?
With the throttle? Uh, with the throttle. What is the throttle set at rpm wise right
now? I'm going 160. Say again. I'm going 160. Okay you're doing
160. Okay, and, uh, where is the throttle set? What's the rpm? Uhm, I'm looking at the rpm, it's about 23
inches. Okay, and that, that rpm goes with the prop levers. Are you familiar with the
prop levers? No I am not. Now the throttles, are you familiar with the
throttles? Not on the, not on this air, aircraft, no.
This is the twin engine aircraft? I don't know if I have enough gas. You think that, you think that's a good idea? What's that Helen? They want me to
go to Green Bay. Where did you say the fuel indicator was? The, the right one is just a little under
half between, up to the one. And the left one is on one. Okay so it's just under a half
you said? Uh not half full. It's close to, it's close
to nothing. Oh okay. It's close to quarter tanks. Okay.
Are you over the airport right now? No I'm headed, uh, south right now. I'm about even
with Algoma. Okay, now I would start heading, I would start heading north back to Sturgeon
Bay Airport. Who said they want me to come to Green Bay?
Somebody wanted me to come to Green Bay. Your son is here and said no because of the
fuel. You should continue here to Sturgeon Bay. And if you just head north if you're
by Algoma, just follow the shoreline north. I know where Green Bay is. Do they want me
to go to Green Bay or Sturgeon Bay? Mom, who told you to go to Green Bay? We're
preparing for you here. Okay, uhm, I'm in a, I'm in a turn right now.
I'm turning towards Sturgeon Bay. Uh Mom who told you to go to Green Bay? We
hate to override other people. I don't know who I'm talking to half the time. Mom, this is Jim. <garbled> wanted to know
who called you to Green Bay? Uh, roger that. I will do. I'm trying to slow it down. I'm, in fact I
lost the airport right now. Mom this is Jim are you talking to Green Bay?
Uhm, no I don't think so. Mom is your intention to come back to Sturgeon
Bay? That's correct. All right now you understand there's another
plane coming up and you're going to follow them in right? Yes I do. All right the throttles
you were worried about that, you know, you kill the power by pulling them back. Not forward.
I know. I don't want to pull it all the way back though then I'll lose everything won't
I? <garbled> all of them are pulling back, uhm, that wouldn't be the worst. Can I put
my gear down yet? I lost the airport. Helen it's a black runway. Just fly along the shoreline.
If you, uh, lost the airport and, uh, you'll see the big long black north south runway.
And what comes up is the hangers. The hangers with the shiny roofs you'll see. I know it when I see it but right now with
everything going on... I'm at 1500 feet. Now do you know where, uh, those two throttle
levers are? They're to the far left. Yes I do. I'm at 135 right now. Okay and what, oh
that's your airspeed. What is your manifold pressure say? Uh 25. Okay that's good. And,
uhm, we won't put the gear down yet. And what I'm gonna have you do is just kind of circle
over the airport. Once you see the airport, or... I see it now. <garbled> over the airport.
I see it now. Okay, you see it now. Is the other airplane in the air? Negative. Uh, he's
not in the air yet. He's on the ramp. He's just starting up. I'm just going over the highway. You know, I'm not, my, I think I'm going to
run out of fuel on my right tank. You're really low. You should climb a bit.
You're not going to land this fast. Okay Helen. I'm climbing to 2000. Somebody better get here in a hurry. Okay
Helen, put the gear down. Helen did you find the gear lever? I found
it but I can't get it down. Oh, there it is. Okay pull it out and push down. That was an aircraft. Okay we see you over
the airport. You're flying parallel to the runway. Now what you'll need to do is just
circle back around. What's your airspeed? 135 Do you have the gear down with three green?
That is correct. Very good. You look good. I don't feel good. No you're doing good. What is your airspeed
now? Uhm, 135 Okay, now if you're that low why don't you,
uh, bring it back around. Jim says he sees you north of the airport. I'm at 1500 feet
right now. Okay stay at 1500 feet. Now Helen do you know if you get in the pattern
on the downwind? I think I can. Okay, so, get in the pattern
on the downwind for the north runway. So that's west of the hangars. Sturgeon Bay Unicom copy four three xray? I copy you. Okay very good. Four three xray will be airborne
in about one zero minutes. Okay Helen is coming up on the downwind. I have a, a visual on Helen. And she's turning a base now. And everything
looks fine. Just tell her to fly down the runway continue
to the north. I'll rejoin her on the next downwind. I'm at about 1300 feet. <garbled> uhm, just
on, just above empty. Okay very good. Looking good Helen. Just fly down the runway
and continue to the north. Circle around and do the exact same thing
you just did and I'll be up about to catch you on the next downwind. I don't think I can circle again. Okay do you have the landing gear down? Yes
I do. <garbled> I'm coming in too fast. <garbled> Go back up! I'm going to be airborne
in five minutes. That's it. Just not not a big pitch. Just a little pitch. That's it.
Just circle right around. Leave the gear down! Leave the gear down! That's it. What's your
airspeed? My airspeed is 125. Okay, uh, bring in a little bit of power. Bring the power
up just a little bit. Just about one or two inches if you know what the manifold pressure
is. Just bring the, bring it.. Bring it up about a quarter inch to a half
inch. You want your air speed at one five zero. One five zero. No less than 2,000 manifold pressure Helen. You want my airspeed at one five zero? One
five zero on the airspeed. That's pretty fast. Okay pick it up pitch
up pitch up the pitch up there Helen. Pitch up you're turning too sharp. Just fly south.
Fly south. Keep going south of the airport. I'm getting all these instructions and I'm
not paying attention to where i'm flying. Okay that's fine, you're doing great Helen.
Just stay on that heading. I'll be joining up with you here in about two minutes. I'm
airborne. Hurry up. I'm coming up right behind you. You're doing great. Just stay on the
south heading there. What's your airspeed? My air speed is 135. Should I push it up?
Yes push it up just a little bit. Not much. You did a, you did good on the last push up.
Just another quarter inch or so. Okay you're doing great Helen. I'm coming
up on your right hand side. And you're doing fine. Just stay on that heading. Keep your
wings level. My airspeed is now 140. Do you want it higher?
No that's fine. Let's just stop right there. That's close enough. As soon as I join you
up on the right-hand side of the aircraft, you'll be looking into the sun.
So don't, do not look at me. You just keep flying the airplane. Okay? Okay gotcha. Okay right now I show us, uh, at about 1700
feet. Uhm, I show 16. That's, that's very close. That's good. Okay now we're gonna try a little, uh, air
work here with me talking to you. Go ahead and turn the air, uh, turn the air, turn the
airplane a little bit to the right. Just about 5-10 degrees to the bank. Very nice, very nice. Okay good. Now let's
go ahead and bring it back straight and level. This is going to be a little bit, uh, a little
bit of a flight lesson but you'll enjoy it. Okay now let's bring it back to the left.
A little turn to the left. Very small, little turn to the left. That's it. Perfect. Nice job. Okay keep it
coming around to the left. That's it. Keep it all the way coming around to the left.
Now your landing gear is down but your flaps are up, is that correct? That's correct. Do you know where the trim switch is so you
can trim the nose up? Uhm, yeah my husband's got his leg on, against it. I don't know if
i can turn it. Okay there should be a switch, a little forward
and back switch on the control wheel itself. How much up? Uh, just a little bit. Just,
just touch it, bring it, you know. Pull it back a little bit, just, just activate
it a little bit back and see what it does for the
nose. You should have almost hands off control. Okay are you having to push forward or pull
back now on the controls? Helen copy? Helen how do you read? I read you loud and
clear. Okay very good now go back to a north heading. Roll your wings level. We're just
going to make one more pass over the airport. And then we're going to come in and land. All right, are you having to pull back or push forward on the control yoke? Uhm, I'm
pulling back. Okay, if you're pulling back, activate that trim switch to the back, to
the aft. Just use your thumb and activate it to the aft so the nose goes up. Is that
pulling it back or pushing forward? That's pulling it back. That's activating it rearward. Helen there's a trim wheel next to the throttle. Yeah that's what I've been using. Good. Okay
that's fine <garbled> up to the aft. Or the back of it down. Tell me when you have, you're not having to
pull back on the control yoke. I'm on the, I'm on the yoke. Okay, so the airplane's flying by itself right?
You don't have to touch the control yoke and it's flying straight and level is that correct? It looks like you're doing great. Okay does it still feel like a nose heavy?
Because you're starting to climb a little bit. It seems pretty good now. Okay, I'm coming up on your right hand side.
I'm going to be at your exact same speed. And you can look over and see me but then
look straight ahead again. Just to feel confident. I'm looking at.. oh, I see you. Okay, very
good. I'm gonna stay right here at this position all the way around the pattern until we come
in and to land. Okay? You better get me in it pretty soon I don't know how long I'm going
to have gas. Yeah, we're doing good. we're just, we're coming around now we're going
to make one big pattern. And I'm going to be right on your wing all the way in. So I'll
be able to tell you if you've got to go up or got to go down. You have, You have not
put any flaps down, is that correct? That's correct. Okay, what's your airspeed about,
about 140? Uh, 135. Okay that confirms with me too. That's what I'm at. Okay, uhm, did
that trim work okay? When you move the trim wheel back
did it bring the nose up for you? Okay, I think you said yes. Is that correct? Yes. Okay very good. We're going to go ahead
and try to put, do you know where the flap switch is? Yes I do. Okay, I would like to have you put
one, just one notch, or one unit of flaps down. And then you're gonna have to trim the
nose up. But before you do that bring the power up just a little bit. Do I push both the throttle and the rpm? No don't worry about the rpm's. Just the throttle.
Just, just handle the throttle. Okay it's coming up. Okay very good. <garbled> now we're going
to put a little bit of flaps down. Not a lot. Just one, if you know what one
unit, or one, one degree of flaps is? 137 Yeah, your airspeed's good. Okay, do you know
what the one notch of flaps is? The first indentation? Come again on that? You want to put just a
little fla, a little bit of flaps down. So just put, just a little flaps down and then <garbled> off. I'm at three thousand
feet too. Don't I have to go lower? No you're fine. We want to have a little room to work
with here. You're looking great. Flaps are down, one notch. Okay. Very good.
Is the nose a little heavy? Is... Is the nose a little heavy? Helen is the nose heavy? No. Okay so you got,
you're, you're just perfect. Looking good. It looks good from the outside here. You're
doing fantastic. Okay, let's go ahead and put one more notch of flaps down. And what's
your airspeed? My airspeed is 130. 130. Okay, very good. Come up on the power just a little
bit. About the same amount of movement as you did before. Do you want me to put more flaps down? Yes,
once you push the, once you push the power up. Once you push the throttles up a little
bit, then put another notch of flaps down. And you might have to trim back to hold the
nose up. Are you talking about that trim wheel? Yes.
Yes. The trim wheel. You might have to work it back again. Is that when I'm landing? No,
right now. After you put the flaps down. You might have to run the trim wheel back. Okay Just a little bit of flaps. Just a little
bit. I still got it at 15... inches. The first notch. Okay, let's go to the second notch. And like
I said, just bring the power up just a little bit. That's good. That's perfect. Okay, now push
the nose down a little. Bring your power, bring the throttle up, bring
the throttle up. <garbled> You want me to bring the throttle forward? Yes, yes. Throttle forward a little bit. You've
got to increase your airpeed to about 130. One three zero on the airspeed. I'm too high. I know. We're both too high.
We're going to start down now after you set your airspeed to one three zero. Okay, did you bring your power up? Uh, yeah,
I'm almost, I'm at one three zero right now. Okay fantastic. Let's go ahead and make a
left turn., left turn. Go ahead make a left turn, and start a descent. Left turn. That's it. Now start a slow descent. Bring
your power back just about as much as you put it forward before. That's it. Looking good. Very nice. Very nice.
Keep it coming all the way around. What about the rpm? Don't worry about the rpm, they're
fine. Okay it looks like you have three green, uh,
light on the panel? All three landing gear are down? That's correct. Okay, very good.
Now I'm gonna come up on your left side. Do not look at me. You just keep turning, keep
turning, and keep the airplane descending. What's your airspeed? About 137. Okay, bring the power back. Bring the power
back a... Bring the power back a little. Bring...the Bring the power back a little bit. Bring the
power back. Power back a little bit. There we go. Now you're looking good. Very
nice. Okay, we're set up for a good <garbled> Okay, Cath, go ahead and have, close the road,
close the road, over. What do you mean by, "Close the road"? I'm talking to the people on the ground Helen. Don't you have any faith in me? I do. I don't trust the drivers on the, on
the road. Helen you're doing great. Okay I have us at
uh, I have us at exactly 130 miles an hour. looking
perfect. Everything looks good. You're on a good flight path. We're descending just
perfect. We're going to come down and we're going to get a little lower. And then I'm
going to have you level the airplane out. Okay? Okay. You're looking great. Cathy, do they have
the, uh, road closed? Don't know, nobody's here, hang on. When I land do I pull the throttle all the
way back? Yes Helen. Uh, bring the throttle all the way back to dead idol and just use
the rudders, and keep in the nose, don't over, you know don't overreact. Uhm, but just keep
the nose going down the center of the runway. And just lightly bring the brakes on. You
know, just push both pedals down evenly as much as you can. You're looking great. You're
looking good. Okay now bring it over to the left here just a little bit. Do you look pretty
much in line with the runway? Yeah, it look.. Okay I agree, I agree. Now
it's real important to just be real light on the controls. And the whole idea is make
sure that nose is trimmed up. Is it heavy or are you having to pull back? Okay Helen we, uh, you've gotta bring the
power back and bring the nose down and power back at the same time. Here we go. Power back now? Just a little,
just a little. Bring the power back just a little bit. You're looking great. Stay right in line with the runway. Just like
private pilot days. That's it. Just like solo days. Get right in line with the runway
though. Put the runway right between your legs. Put the runway right between your legs.
But don't bank, don't bank. Just use rudders. Get the rudder. Get, get the runway right down between your legs. That's it. Are
you, are you still pulling back on the controls? A little bit. Okay you can trim it off if
you want a little bit.. okay you're looking good. Stay right on the middle of the runway.
Stay right down the middle of the runway. Okay bring the power back a little bit. Bring
the power back. Okay you're too high. Go around. Power up. Power up. Power up. Power up. Power
up. Just a little. No, no don't pull back. Push. No. Power up Keep your wings level.
That's it. Pull. Full power! Full Power! Full power! Go up! Up up up! Pull pull pull! Pull!
Pull up a little bit! Pull up! Helen pull up. Just, okay that's enough. That's
enough. That's enough. Okay, you were just a little bit to the right
of the runway. That's okay. We're doing fine. We're gonna come around and try it again.
Don't don't turn yet. Stay going north because I'm right here on
your side here. I gotta land pretty quick my gas gauge shows nothing. Okay we're gonna
get it on the next time around you gotta be lined up pretty much with the runway though.
I'm just coming over to the top, just stay level, stay level, stay level, I'm gonna come
around to the other side of you. That's it, you're doing great. Okay don't over bank.
That's it. Roll it out a little bit. I'm just gonna bring it around and try one more time.
We gotta get you pretty much in line with the runway. Okay when you, when you were in line with
the runway before did it seem like you were a little bit off to the right? Yes it did.
Okay, uhm, I'm going to actually be right behind you now. I'm not going to be, I'm not
going to be to your side. I'm going to be right behind you and i'm going to talk you
down from being right behind you. That way I know that you're in line with the runway.
Okay Okay you're doing great now we're a little
lower. We're just about perfect at pattern altitude. You're doing fine. We're gonna go
south a little bit then we're gonna turn around and come right back and it'll be a short final
approach. I'm watching my airspeed it's only about 110. Uh, actually I'm showing you about
120, but go ahead bring the power up, power up. Bring the power up a little bit more. <garbled> Power's up. <garbled>perfect now it should get you to
about 120, 125. Should I turn yet? No, no, we're going to
go a little further south cause I wanna, I want to give you enough time to turn. You're
doing great. You're configured for landing. This will be the final approach and landing. I'll tell you when to turn just keep heading
south. Okay you're doing good. That was a couple
good practice sessions. Now we should be good on this one. I hope so. I'm at about 1500 feet. That's confirmed,
that's where I am too and we're at 125, 120. Bring your power up just a little bit and
go ahead and start your turn to the north. That's it. Looking good. Don't pull back,
let the nose come down. Don't pull back, just let the nose come around as you turn. Bring your power up just a little. Bank it to the left a little more. Bank it to the
left. Okay, Helen, bank it to the right. Bring it
around to the right. Bring it all the way around to the right. We're gonna have to make
a right down... Right turn, right turn, right, now turn right, turn right, turn right. There
you go. We're gonna bring it all the way around and it'll be, put you right in line with the
runway. Bring the nose up. Bring the nose up, nose
up, nose.. Keep turning, keep turning right. Bring the nose up. Keep turning right. I, I'm running out of gas. No you're doing
fine, you're doing fine. Bring it around. No, my left engine, my right engine is out. Okay, oh, your right engine is out, just keep
it <unintelligible> to the left engine. Keep coming all the way around. That's it. Your
doing fine. Bring that left engine power lever all the
way up. And you're gonna have to come in with a little
bit of rudder to keep the nose turning. You're looking good. You're looking good. Okay, the runway is at about ten o'clock.
Keep it turning. Keep it turning. Keep coming around to the left. Turn left.
Turn left. Turn left. Left turn. Left turn. Helen turn left. Helen turn left bring the nose up. That's
it. That's it. Come around to the left. Alright not that much. Bring it, bank
it to the right a little bit. Bank it right. Turn right. That's it. Okay now turn right.
Up a little bit. Keep the nose up. Looking good. Alright you're going to come right in
line with the runway. Roll wings level a little bit. Roll wings level. Nose up. Nose up a
little bit. There you go. I can see the airport. Okay you see the airport.
Okay, go over to the left. Go over to the left a little bit. Keep the nose down a little
bit. Bring the nose down a little bit. That's it.
I'm out of gas. It's perfect. This is the landing. Okay, bring the nose down a little bit. Nose
down. Nose down. Turn right a little bit. Turn right. Okay bring the nose down. Nose down. Nose
down. Come on, get down. Get down. Bring the power back. Power back. Power back. Reduce
the power over. Reduce the power nose down over. Helen do you read me? I read you. You're not gonna make it. No don't dive for
the runway. Do not dive for the runway. That's it. You're doing fine. There you go. Okay
good. Power back. Power back. Bring the nose down. Power back. Power off Helen. Power off. <garbled> Bring the power back. Power back. Power back.
Off. Off. Leave the power off. Power off. Power off. Power off. Power off. Nose up.
Nope. Okay you're down. Great job Helen! Great job! Outstanding Helen. Good job Helen, they're on their way. Good
job. Okay Helen, that was excellent job. Excellent
job. If you can evacuate the aircraft. If you can evacuate the aircraft. After the hard landing the twin Cessna's nose
gear collapsed and skidded 1000 feet down the runway. Helen suffered a cracked rib and
a crushed vertebrae. John Collins sadly was pronounced dead at the hospital. Presumably
the cause of death was a heart attack. John began flying airplanes in the 1980s and frequently
volunteered his services for Angel Flight, a group that helps transport patients in need
to the hospital where they receive treatment. Son Richard Collins was quoted in the media
as saying about his mother, "She could hardly walk up steps. I can't even tell her how to
run a computer let alone [land] an airplane." Richard said, "It was a very trying time.
I thought I was going to lose them both. She felt his hand and she knew." Richard added,
"Everybody is so proud of her." Helen C. Collins passed away almost three years later at the
age of 83 in March of 2015. She was survived by her three children, five grandchildren,
and one great-grandchild, Twin Cessna 414-A November 5-3 whiskey tango
was repaired by the Collins family. It is still flying today and is currently based
in California. Don't you have any faith in me?
