Passenger Safely Lands King Air C90 After Pilot Incapacitation

A passenger with no pilot’s certificate successfully landed a Beechcraft King Air C90 at Meadows Field Airport in Bakersfield, California, after the pilot became incapacitated mid-flight on Friday, October 4, 2024. The aircraft ran off the runway upon landing but remained undamaged, and no injuries were reported. First responders performed CPR on the pilot, who was transported to a local hospital, though his condition remains unknown.

The twin-engine plane departed from Henderson Executive Airport in Las Vegas and was en route to Monterey Regional Airport in California when the incident occurred. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation into the event.

Kern County Airports Director Ron Brewster praised the passenger’s efforts, stating, “The passenger did an outstanding job getting the aircraft down safely.” Despite lacking a pilot’s certificate, the passenger was able to take control and safely land the plane.

The King Air C90, owned by a private company in Henderson, Nevada, had been flying at a steady 219 knots at 20,000 feet before the emergency. Flight tracking data showed an erratic descent toward Bakersfield before the safe landing. The NTSB will provide further updates on the investigation.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, avweb.com