Doncaster man meets air ‘saviours’ who helped him land plane

rossparry.co.uk/Andrew McCaren
Picture shows John Wildey who emergency landed a Cessna 172 aeroplane at Humberside airport when the pilot became ill. See Ross Parry copy RPYPLANE. A brave light aircraft passenger who was flying blind has been praised after landing the plane with no lights after the pilot fell ill.
Daring passenger John Wildey was guided to safety by two flying instructors who had been called in to help land the aircraft at Humberside Airport on Tuesday night.
The passenger circled in the aircraft before landing at the fourth attempt.
Tragically, police yesterday (Wed) confirmed the pilot died later in the evening. They are not treating the death as suspicious.
Police, fire and ambulance crews were called to the airport after the pilot collapsed and a distress call was made from the light aircraft, which had taken off from Sandtoft Airfield, South Yorks., 25 miles (40km) away.
Flying instructor Roy Murray, who works at a flying school based at the airport, said: "It was a co-ordinated effo — rossparry.co.uk/Andrew McCaren Picture shows John Wildey who emergency landed a Cessna 172 aeroplane at Humberside airport when the pilot became ill. See Ross Parry copy RPYPLANE. A brave light aircraft passenger who was flying blind has been praised after landing the plane with no lights after the pilot fell ill. Daring passenger John Wildey was guided to safety by two flying instructors who had been called in to help land the aircraft at Humberside Airport on Tuesday night. The passenger circled in the aircraft before landing at the fourth attempt. Tragically, police yesterday (Wed) confirmed the pilot died later in the evening. They are not treating the death as suspicious. Police, fire and ambulance crews were called to the airport after the pilot collapsed and a distress call was made from the light aircraft, which had taken off from Sandtoft Airfield, South Yorks., 25 miles (40km) away. Flying instructor Roy Murray, who works at a flying school based at the airport, said: "It was a co-ordinated effo

Rossington man John Wildey had to bring down a Cessna Skyhawk in October last year, despite having no previous flying experience.

The 77-year old grandad often flew with his pilot friend from and to Sandtoft airfield, but this flight was one he will never forget.

He is meeting for the first time the air control team who talked him down safely that day. Despite his intense fear he managed to keep his cool and follow their instructions safely.

When his pilot lost consciousness after telling John that he felt ill, the 77-year old contacted air controllers and gave the Mayday signal. He calmly told them his pilot was unconscious and that he was not a trained pilot.

John Cameron, the first air traffic controller to speak to John, gave his chances of landing safely at that point at about 30 per cent, he admitted later.

The decision was taken to divert John 20 miles to the larger Humberside Airport and flying instructor Roy Murray talked John through bringing the Cessna down.

Other flights were diverted and a Sea King search and rescue helicopter was scrambled from RAF Leconfield.

With expert guidance, John was able to land safely on a runway despite having to abort his first attempt in the dark night.

The former desk employee with the RAF talks with his saviours face to face at RAF Leconfield today and the meeting can be viewed on ITV Calendar tonight.