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Subscribe to RSSHelen Collins, 80, had been flying with her husband for decades, but wasn't familiar with the plane's controls. NBC's Kevin Tibbles reports.
An 80-year-old woman with little experience flying planes was forced to make an emergency landing Monday when her husband, a certified pilot, slumped over the controls of his twin-engine Cessna in the skies of northeastern Wisconsin on Monday.
"He developed a medical emergency," Door County, Wis., Sheriff Terry Vogel said of John Collins, 81. "He died as a result."
His wife, Helen Collins, remained calm despite not knowing how to fly a Cessna, and called the sheriff's dispatch center for help.
"She was circling for an hour-and-a-half when the tanks were actually registering no fuel," Helen and John Collins' son, Richard, 55, told msnbc.com. "Usually you have 45 minutes. She had to be running on fumes, and I mean fumes."
The Collins, who live in Sturgeon Bay, Wis., were flying back from a weekend fishing trip to Florida. After fueling up in Georgia and calling Richard, who lives next door to them in Sturgeon Bay, they continued their flight.
Six miles south of Door County's Cherryland Airport, though, trouble struck: John had a heart attack mid-flight and fell unconscious, said Richard Collins. Richard and another brother, who knows how to fly, heard the news, and raced to airport's dispatch center just after 5 p.m.
With his father passed out at the controls and his mother weak from two open-heart surgeries of her own, Richard began to worry about the fate of both of his parents.
"She can hardly walk up steps," Richard said.
As authorities down on the ground debated whether it was best to try to direct Helen to Cherryland Airport or to the larger Green Bay Airport for what would undoubtedly be a rough landing, a local pilot flew up to be by Helen's side, figuring it would be easier to radio in instructions on how to land if he could gauge her speed in the air.
The situation got more dire when shortly after 6 p.m. Helen radioed in more bad news: The Cessna's right engine had lost power because it was out fuel.
"She said, 'Look, I gotta land, I'm outta fuel,'" Richard said.
An 80-year-old woman with no flying experience made an emergency landing after her husband fell unconscious behind the controls of his Cessna airplane.
Somehow, in what Richard describes as "a miracle," Helen managed to touch down safely at Cherryland.
"She didn't even know how to drop the landing gear," Richard said. "I can't even tell my mom how to run a computer!"
Amazingly, Helen didn't suffer any major injuries, Richard said. While the plane landed nose-first, and Helen got some bruises in the process, she is expected to be OK.
"She landed it. It was absolutely incredible. She had an elevated heartbeat, and they were trying to bring down that scuff mark on top of her head and the bruise on top of her forehead. She will probably have two black eyes, but she's up and alert," he said.
'We prayed over him, and we said our goodbyes'
The relief the family felt when they saw Helen was alive was matched by their grief when they realized their father didn't survive his heart attack.
"The EMTs extracted my dad. We prayed next to dad," Richard said. "She held his hand, and the priest said some prayers. We prayed over him, and we said our goodbyes. It was a really trying time."
John Collins had a passion for flying and owned multiple airplanes, Richard said, adding that he's proud of what his mom did.
"This twin [Cessna] is one of a few that won't go into a spin when you lose an engine. She brought it down and she did a wonderful job."
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What a strong woman, to cope with her husband's failing health while landing a plane on her own WITHOUT having had any flying experience. Good job! Sorry for your loss.
Proud of you Mom! I am sorry for your loss...he knows you did a good job!
Your husband knew you could do this...he is proud too
that is one tough little cheesehead! way to wing it missy.
No airplane "goes into a spin" when you lose an engine. Either John Collins doesn't know what he's talking about, or what he said was paraphrased by whoever wrote the story, in which case it shouldn't have been in quotation marks.
Some old model cessna's do, silly. Shhh
Nosing in like that, she is very lucky that the plane did not flip. I give her a lot of credit for keeping her cool and getting on the ground in relatively one piece despite her lack of flying experience and having her husband unconscious, and as it turned out deceased, next to her. Most 80 year old ladies in that position would have been in a panic and not been able to get the plane down safely.
An airplane can "spin" if it loses function of one engine. It might not be as severe as you are thinking, but it can cause the pilot to lose control of the airplane.
It is called critical engine. If one engine loses power, that engine and the prop are doing nothing but creating drag on one side of the aircraft, while the other engine is making thrust. It will cause the aircraft to become hard or impossible to control.
This is why many multi-engine aircraft have the ability to feather one of the props. This turns the propeller to "extreme high pitch", meaning it creates a lot less drag. Think about it like this: you are in your car and you stick your hand out the window. If you cup your hand and face it toward the wind, you will have a lot of drag. Now turn your hand 90 degrees, now you have very little drag. Same basic principle applies to the propeller.
Angry Guy;
Since you clearly have no pilot rating, then your comment is predictable. MOST twin engine planes will turn in the direction of the dead engine due to drag and Asymmetric (off center line) thrust from the remaining powered engine and propeller. It's called thrust yawl and even in this plane a bit of rudder opposite the dead engine side has to be applied to compensate. Left uncorrected it will put the plane into a spin that will only get worse until it impacts the ground. The only twin that will not begin turning into the dead engine is a Cessna Sky Master. This because it has both engines inline, one front and one rear with a pusher prop. All left/right twin and multiples will yawl in the direction of a dead engine in degrees of severity according to design and engine horse power. Even jet airliners will yawl into a dead engine and must be corrected to continue flight in a straight line.
Before you state something categorically about aircraft dynamics, get a pilots license. Take it from this licensed G.A. pilot with multi-engine and high performance ratings, twins will begin turning into a dead engine and left uncorrected, will go into a spin and crash.
With no flight training and little flight experience, it is a miracle she got it on the ground in one piece. I suspect she learned far more than even she realized by flying with and observing her husband all those years. And when it counted most she put what she learned into practice. I find myself wondering if you would have fared as well.
The word is yaw (not yawl). Beyond that, you are correct. Yawl is a word used in the South and Southeast, "Yawl come back now, yahere!".
The fact that he was still flying at his age is astounding. My doctor who flew jets and helicopters in the Navy was out flying his private plane in his early 70's, that is until he forgot to drop the wheels during a landing and the FAA permanently yanked his license.
Alan- Y'all is from the south, as in you all. Yawl is from the maritime world. :)
Y'all just settle down and quit yawlering at each other. Why can't we yaw just git along.
A strong woman is the same thing as a normal man.
Why is an 81 year old flying a plane without experienced backup along?
The real question is... Why in the name of logical reason, and, commonsense is such an elderly and sick person flying a plane??? Why???????? last year an 81 years old man killed him self an injure others while piloting a modified P51 mustang at an air show in Reno Nevada for the same reasons... HEALTH FREAKING PROBLEMS!!! AT 81 one shouldn't even be driving a car, much more less FLYING AN AIRPLANE!!! Check out the stats, take a look at all the fatalities that all these way past than Senior classification citizens are causing. enough is enough!!! stop the insanity,. You lived your lives give it a rest, stop jeopardizing the rest of us!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mac and Teabag,
If his doctor didn't feel comfortable signing off on his medical he wouldn't have. End of flying carreer. If the doctor was aware of a medical condition and still signed off, then he's in deep doo doo.
@The Angry Guy:
Ummmm, why do you post incorrect, uneducated (you definitely don't have your pilot license) inflammatory remarks when you obviously have no clue what you're talking about?
@Mac Forrester:
Please go out and get your pilot license before spouting such rubbish.
@Thou Shall Not Teabag:
Please throw your computer in the trash can and cancel your internet service.. You just shouldn't even be online... I'll leave it at that. You are so clueless, it would be a waste of my time to explain everything that is wrong with your ridiculous post.
Are you guys trolling, trying to be mean or just that stupid? Learn at least a smidgeon of aviation/flying facts before posting your BS....please. Go to www.google.com and do a search on the topic you decide to post on next time. It will spare us all the misery of reading garbage. Nothing I hate more than 'armchair generals' spouting off....geeeezus, get a clue!!!!
@Nicodemus1946:
You hit the nail on the head, thank you! :)
Regardless of the twits' posting, I wish the best to the courageous woman and her family during this time of grief.
I'm a bit jealous. Living to 81, presumably in decent health (he wouldn't be flying in bad health I guess), and dying of a heart attack while doing what he loved - that's the way to go. Given a choice, I'd take it, anyway better than protracted and painful losing battle against some disgusting disease, or slowly losing mind to Alzheimer's.
But you never know.
RIP.
Thou shalt not;
The answer is because he passed the FFA physical and eye tests, obviously. I know all you think that beyond 40 a person becomes a teetering, senile fool. Wrong! As long as he met FFA flight requirements, physical, mental and visual, he is clear to fly, period. Fools generally don't get to be old. Again another with little understanding of flight requirements, age, unless accompanied by a debilitating condition, is not addressed.
Alan; Do forgive the misspelling, but then, I do commit the occasional typo. Unlike some, I do not presume myself perfect. Nor, do I look for such infractions when trying to make a come back.
A Cessna 414 Chancellor is not a simple aircraft to fly. This gentleman must have been an accomplished pilot. And an FAA medical exam can be quite rigorous. Unfortunately it would seem he was in good health, right up untill he died(!)
My condolences to the family, but hat's off to the strong and courageous Mrs Collins.
Old guys shouldn't fly? People have heart attacks in there 20s and 30s were is the cut-off?... Maybe nobody should fly anymore we should all lock ourselves in our houses and become obese slugs who die of weight related health conditions in our 40s or sooner. This guy had to pass an EKG to pass his medical.
@Nicodemus1946
FFA is the Future Farmers of America, FAA is federal aviation administration. They require a medical exam from a doctor and test alot more then eyes before handing out a medical.
Republicratt
@The Angry Guy:
Ummmm, why do you post incorrect, uneducated (you definitely don't have your pilot license) inflammatory remarks when you obviously have no clue what you're talking about?
@Mac Forrester:
Please go out and get your pilot license before spouting such rubbish.
@Thou Shall Not Teabag:
Please throw your computer in the trash can and cancel your internet service.. You just shouldn't even be online... I'll leave it at that. You are so clueless, it would be a waste of my time to explain everything that is wrong with your ridiculous post.
Are you guys trolling, trying to be mean or just that stupid? Learn at least a smidgeon of aviation/flying facts before posting your BS....please. Go to www.google.com and do a search on the topic you decide to post on next time. It will spare us all the misery of reading garbage. Nothing I hate more than 'armchair generals' spouting off....geeeezus, get a clue!!!!
@Nicodemus1946:
You hit the nail on the head, thank you! :)
Regardless of the twits' posting, I wish the best to the courageous woman and her family during this time of grief.
#1.19 - Tue Apr 3, 2012 10:45 PM EDT
My dear Republiccrap, in response to your incoherent and stupid rant all I got to say to you is: CHECK OUT THE FACTS, CHECK OUT THE RECORDS!!! FACTS AND RECORDS DON'T LIE!!!
I am 51 y.o. and have heart failure. I remember being in grade school, they predicted that w/in a decade, heart defibrillators would be standard, required equipment almost everywhere in our society. Some public buildings do have them and they are very simple and effective to use. With mass production the price of these devices could be affordable even for people who didn't own multiple aircraft. Defibillators should be a required item (especially on aircraft) just like a first-aid kit. It may or may not have saved his life and she would have still had to land the plane, but with this easily acquired equipent (especially for wealthy people with heart problems) his life may have been saved. Penny wise and pound foolish.
@Rupubicratt#1.19: I have a friend who is now 86. Flew fighter jets in the Korean war. Still loves to fly. The mans health is generally perfect. Sees like an Eagle. At age 75 the FAA told him He could retain his license, but could not file a flight plan unless he presented proof of accompanying licensed backup pilot that did not have his restrictions. Reasons given Him by the FAA? His age! Even though He's healthy, at his age He is more likely to become unhealthy very quickly, and they do not wish that to happen while He's up absent qualified backup. Now, His pilot Grandson accompanies Him. This man moves like a healthy 50 year old, but He also agrees with the restrictions. Sorry I upset you. Wasn't my intent. You are somewhat correct. Other than what I posted I certainly don't know anything much about the subject.
Actually, I DO have a pilot's license, and I have spun several different airplanes, deliberately, many times. I know what a spin is, and I know the difference between a spin and a "graveyard spiral", which is actually what Collins and the rest of you know-it-alls are talking about. I've done both, and they are NOT the same thing.
Nicodemus1946, the fact that you use "yawl" instead of the correct "yaw" tells me all I need to know. You've probably never spun an airplane in your life, so it doesn't surprise me that you think a spin and a graveyard spiral are the same. You may have a pilot's license, too, but I'm betting yours is based on nothing but the current FAA/Jeppesen curriculum, which does not include any spin training. Do yourself and your passengers a favor: get some spin training.
Someone was watching over this strong woman - she could have just given up and this story would have had a different outcome.
Sorry for your loss of your husband/father. I hope Mrs. Collins recovers quickly from her injuries!
It was Batman.
No...it was Wonder Woman. She's a pilot you know.....
She is strong willed and did not give up - that has nothing to do with anyone or anything "watching over her".
@Mike P.
You are no authority of what or who was "watching over her". Step back into your own pathetic little world. It's obvious by the article that the family is religious so the comment by CNJ Mom was quite in line with their beliefs. Your comment is simply trying to deny anyone for actually HAVING BELEIF.
What about the people who helped guide her to the ground? You know, the real heroes of the story. In your race to give god all of the credit did you ever think to give the people who actually helped some credit also?
Sorry if this offends your fantasy beliefs, but if all she had was god and not the heroic efforts of all the PEOPLE involved, there would be nothing left of her but a tiny patch of scorched earth in a field somewhere.
@ Gotnorice
Again one of your ilk takes the moment to disclaim a belief system instead of just accepting that someone with a belief acknowledged a family that has belief that a higher being may have been watching over them/her. What seems to be your problem with the comment? Nobody that I've seen so far was detracting from any "PEOPLE" on the ground for helping as well.
You rabid anti-believers are so easy to get riled.
It is so disheartening to see how intolerant many atheists and non-believers are. They are often the first to demand that believers accept their opinions but then refuse, mock and hate when believers express their own beliefs. Shame on all of you who criticize this woman's faith, and take a moment to practice what you preach.
Good job to all the people, and God, involved in saving this woman's life. I am sorry for the loss of your husband.
She did have a pilot in a plane beside her helping her direct the landing. She did a good job keeping it together, also God is very patient with atheists, don't be dishearten, pray for them, but don't tell them.
American Historian,
You telling "God" "good job" is hilarious.
Good job God?? WTF are you talking about? God was the one who killed her husband and put her in the predicament in the first place! THEN, he saves her? If God wants to kill the husband and not the wife, all he has to do is wait till the freaking plane is on the ground. No, very @!$%#ty job, God for putting the woman in danger in the first place.
I always want to ask these religious fruit cakes what they would do if someone came up, shot them in the gut, and then rendered first aid until an ambulance arrived. Would you be praising the shooter for "saving" you?
Jeez, God couldn't wait 'til he landed to "add an angel" to his crew? Anyway, from an atheist, God bless her heart! I'm glad the old girl made it down safely. Landing a twin with no flying experience (at the controls that is) is no easy feat.
As all pilots say: take-offs are optional, landings are mandatory.
Thank you God. Finally a good story with a happy ending(sort of). To me....thats a miracle. What she was going through up their and getting herself together and landing it. Awesome. I would be proud to call her my mom.
For all the posters simply not replying with an "atta girl" and commenting on others views.....let it go, get a grip. This isnt a perfect world we live in. Leave the rants and enjoy a good story without dogging someone.
jon,
Why didn't you follow your own advice and stop posting after the first paragraph?
Why is your "rant" acceptable?
Do you know what sanctimoniousness is?
OK, now I get to say something about my comment after all the atheist and religious comments.
I am agnostic, but clearly from this woman's belief system to the assistance she received from the ground and air, someone (and I didn't name WHO) was definitely watching over this woman. Certainly if she wasn't the strong woman that she is, she would not have survived this horrible ordeal.
'Nuff said!
Wow! Flying is a no-brainer, but take offs and landings are the most critical when flying... amazing! Sad though regarding her husband.
"Wow! Flying is a no-brainer..."
Ah, then you must be a pilot.
Clearly you don't fly. Nothing about flying is a "No-brainer" A plane is not like driving a car, it responds very differently to control surface changes than a car to it's steering commands. All maneuvers must be anticipated and response times vary widely depending on altitude, humidity, wind, wind direction, temperature etc. IF it were so simple everyone would be a pilot. It requires far more concentration and training than driving your car. Yes, Take offs, approach and Landings are the most critical portions of any flight. But climb out and cruise are by no means "No Brainers".
"A plane is not like driving a car" That statement is a no brainer and it has something to do with flying? Although, planes and automobiles have many of the same operational features- controls and such. And, I know a pilot that drives a car! :)
I bet he's got a lot of flight hours. Microsoft Flight Simulator?
Lance,
Hate to burst your bubble, but none of the controls on a plane have the same operatonal features as a car. Turning the yoke makes the plane lean from side to side (roll), the throttle is on your hand and the pedals make the plane turn on the ground and wag the tail in the air (yaw). The throttle controls your altitude and pushing the steering wheel makes the plane go faster while pulling it makes the plane go slower (pitch) AND your plane won't change direction unless you pull on the yoke. Turning the yoke one way while pushing a pedal the opposite way makes you fly sideways.
So no, driving a car and flying a plane are very different things.
lance;
No @!$%#?!? I drive cars as well. I used that analogy because most who are unschooled in Aviation seem to think a plane handles like a car, because that is their point of reference. I'm not aware of an automo0bile with flaps, elevators, ailerons, or propeller pitch controls. Cars share few controls with aircraft. Brakes, ground steering, except tail draggers, a few common gauges, that's it. Cars don't have altimeters, artificial horizons, air speed indicators, ILF navigation aids, oil,water and cylinder head temp gauges, hydraulic pressure gauges, manifold pressure gauges, etc, etc, etc. Again, the car analogy was used for those with a limited point of reference. Apparently, like you.
wow! that's all I can say.
The number of landings should always equal the number of takeoffs, I always say. Great job Helen, and I'm sorry for your loss, but John would be proud of 'ya.
Old pilot's dictionary:
Good landing - the plane is ready to refuel, service and take-off.
Landing - the plane can be flown again after minor repairs and service.
Crash - the plane did not survive, but some parts did.
Looks to me like that she did indeed land.
My sympathies to her and the family. At least her husband died doing what he loved and no one else was hurt.
Yup, and any landing you survive is a good one. My condolences to his Wife and Family. She did an absolutely spectacular job getting that plane on the ground without piling it up. A collapsed nose gear, scraped sheet metal and bent props is minor compared to what it could have been. Bravo!
Proof that God exists and helps out in dire situations...
How is this proof of your assertion?
Why couldn't God have waited to kill the man after he landed the plane instead of almost killing two?
@Morton: Apparently, god has a sick sense of humor and likes to put an 80 year old through unnecessary stress.
Pretty rotten of your god to give the guy a heart attack and kill him. Just saying . . .
Every response to your post is proof that even God makes mistakes.
God didn't land the plane. That woman did. Proving woman is stronger and smarter than "god".
Must be nice to be god. You get to disavow any responsibility when humans do bad things and take all the credit when humans do good things.
And during the off times, you get to encourage them to torture and murder each other because each of them believes their god is the true god, while you sit back and laugh at their stupidity.
Nice job if you can get it. I guess. Or not.
I've always had a hard time with the thought of worshiping an entity whose ethics aren't as good as mine.
Why shoot down Sonya's post this way? She said nothing unkind and represented no threat to anyone. Before you belittle another person's spiritual beliefs, remember that it may be all they have. Might be what gives her strength and hope to get through another tough and challenging day/situation herself. Why would you want to try and take this from her?
This is a public forum. If you're going to post religious mumbo jumbo here, expect to get replies. If you're too sensitive for that, then maybe you should just keep your God between you and yourself eh?
Baldman...you are a jerk!
Have to agree with the how you want to give God credit for her being alive but none of the balme for her almost dying. I have no issue with the believers at all. But agree that if your going to trumpet your God on a public forum you can expect others differing opinions. I think this was a great example of being in the right place at the right time and being surrounded by the goodness and help of man. If her belief in God gave her the strength to not give up, then good for her. Still no proof that he exists.
Victoria--
I can't speak for anyone else, but I replied as I did because the old woman was incredibly courageous, and I think it stinks for someone to try to take the triumph of human spirit from her and give it to their imaginary god.
So you may think that Sonya said nothing unkind, but I think the opposite. I think it's a form of spiritual thievery and a subtle way of disempowering and denigrating human beings. To me, that is what religion is always about--trying to make humans believe they are less than they can be so that some authority can control them and profit off them.
I chose to speak out against it, and if Sonya has personal problems that have led to despondency--a situation which probably exists only in YOUR imagination--they might be due to having been brainwashed to believe she is a worm of the dust.
How true that God didn't land the plane, the wife did. But sometimes God works through others in miraculous ways and most likely gave her the the help she needed in the form of working through the people on the ground. In the same way that God did not "kill" the husband.
God only sent death upon sinners a very long time ago (Old Testament)
But since Jesus was crucified and resurrected (due to people not heeding his commands before Jesus walked the earth) we are now able to "choose" for ourselves without Gods punishments during our mortal lives.
Our rewards will be on judgement day. Satan is responsible for the evil that surrounds us today.
But for the pilot, it was just his time to pass. Sympathy to the family. Hope the wife has a speedy recovery.
@Baldman - no sir - we're taught to spread the word of God. Even though people like you would love to get rid of us - you never will - praise the Lord!
exactly baldman.that is why it is called a public forum.I pray God opens your eyes to the fact that it was God.
Amen to that!justme.
Forgot to mention, Baldman, that for us believers, in the book of Matthew, it is written that for those who acknowledge God, Jesus will acknowledge them to God. For those who choose not to acknowledge God, so will Jesus not acknowledge those to God. So, there you have it. We are supposed to witness the teachings even if we are mocked or put down. I choose to make it known that I am a believer.
Why didn't anyone blame FAA for issuing or renewing him the license at that age? How did he pass the medical or it wasn't required. Most states would required even a drivng test for over a certain age. He or her medical condition could have many innocent people killed on the ground.
mabe they were under a different law?
me to grmasissa. we are commanded to be the light of the world."Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and praise your Father in heaven."
So yeah...we are called to proclaim the Word of God.No matter what.
Normally I stay out of religious debate online, but I have to say, all of these posts regarding God as a bad person for letting this man die during flight or for this crash happening are very naive and thoughtless.
For example:
Morton McGongal - "Why couldn't God have waited to kill the man after he landed the plane instead of almost killing two?"
gv-Kailua - "Pretty rotten of your god to give the guy a heart attack and kill him. Just saying . . ."
If you're going to argue in this rather senseless way, then think for a moment. God may have just as much saved this woman from dying, rather than letting both of these people crash and die if it was this man's time to pass away. It could have been much, much worse.
Also, saying that God saved this woman's life is in no way detracting from the people who helped her through this event, as some of you rashly assume. These people should be commended!!! It's stupid to think that they don't deserve credit! And as a believer I have to say that I believe that God was there helping them too through this traumatic event.
Scramblera;
And we have only your and other assertions God does not exist. I put it to you to prove he/she/they do not. Science has tried for decades and failed. So where is your Empirical evidence that god does not exist? As has been said you make the assertion, supply the evidence. Gods existence or no is a matter of opinion or theory on either side. So unless and until you can prove Empirically god does not, your opinion is no more valid than the ones who believe god does exist.
After all, there is appall evidence that life exists elsewhere in the universe. Have we seen this life?, Heard them?, Have any artifact that proves their existence? No we have not and do not, is the correct answer. So why then does science believe they exist so ardently? Mathematical probability? There is no other evidence to suggest we are not alone in the vastness of space, so why the belief? Sounds like faith to me. Faith in numbers i.e.(science) without proof is no different than belief in god without evidence. It's a matter of perspective, it seems to me. I'm waiting, bring on the proof, not theory, not opinion, not juvenile raging against the establishment, Proof. Never mind, I don't have that kind of time to waste, since no such evidence exists.
yeah.you are right. God lets certain things happen for a purpose in life.we do not understand...nor do we know why at times...but God does everything according to His purpose for His glory.And yes..those other people should be commended.:)
my last comment was to Matt by the way.:)
Where was God during 9/11? Too busy fighting with Allah to interfere?
If you want God to take credit for good thing, then the same can be said for all the bad things. The problem is we have more bad than good things, so is your God doing good work?
Nicodemus1946 from what you posted, and the logic you adhere too...one can only assume then that you believe in all things that science cant prove does not exist? This logic would then validate all the other gods from history (making yours not the one and only) and also such things as the boogy man, the easter bunny ect ect.
be careful how you choose to justify your beliefs...you may find they do you a discredit.
I'm fine with all of you spreading the Lord's word, just as you should be fine with me and others here pointing out the fallacies and idiocies in the things you say, which is not the same as saying that you, as a person, are an idiot, just that what you're preaching is idiotic. Now what about that makes me a jerk? If you're going to find "offense" in someone taking a contrary position to your views then thank the gods that you don't have any power to put us in jail or burn us at the stake for heresy like your predecessors did.
JBL;
No, You clearly didn't catch the point. My logic is, if science can so easily dismiss religion as fantasy, owing to no empirical evidence to prove it, How can they cling to theories that lack empirical evidence to support them? The big bang can not be proven, it's a theory. Regardless how much circumstantial evidence they have, it remains unproven.
You assume facts not in evidence as to what I believe. Assumption will discredit you faster than any belief, regardless how fanciful it might be. I do not adhere to any organized religion. I also look at the world with a critical eye in regards to what is being foisted upon the masses, most of whom clearly don't think for themselves. Religion is a man made institution and not to be confused with faith. Faith is what makes scientists believe in unproven theories as fact. It also drive those who don't question any proposition put before them to follow blindly those same unproven theories. A preponderance of evidence is not "proof". Some don't believe dinosaurs ever walked to earth, fossils "prove" they did. Had you read my post, I referred to "God, and Gods i.e. "He/She/They". It can be assumed all Gods are one God, or Gods is all Gods using different names.
Never did I say what can't be proven does not exist. Again you make an assumption. This only proves my point. How can something be dismissed without proof it is false? Contrastingly, How can it be viewed as fact without empirical proof? It seems to depend upon a persons opinion, political inclination and/or peer group and the herd mentality. I look at things from the position of impartiality. I accept nothing without proof and dismiss noting without proof. Ergo, the world has infinite possibilities or (depending on where the proof comes down, very limited possibilities. The jury is still out on many things some view as fact, We don't have all the answers and most likely won't have in the foreseeable future. CAse in point, the recent observations at lawrence-Livermore and CERN where matter was apparently observed exceeding the speed of light. IF these findings hold true, then "Special relativity" goes out the window and along with it, most of the "Physical laws" science uses to do much of their work. Does this then invalidate all they have done? It's not always black and white, is it?
your confusing something here. A theory is just that, a theory. An informed guesswork. No one claims a theory as fact, it only becomes a law with empirical evidence. A theory is also falsifiable, Religion is not, it is taken on faith and has only it's own scriptures as evidence.
No one clings to the big bang as fact. It isn't, it is however a theory that has not been falsified by direct observation. In fact observation supports but does not prove it correct.
On the side the FTL observations were falsified. There were mistakes in the observation. Even if it had been proven it would not of, in itself, destroyed special relativity, only a small piece of it, as Einsteins mathematical formulas covered far more than just the speed limit for the universe.
Back on topic however, I, unlike you, am not a pilot, but certainly understand the differences between a ground vehicle and one operated in three dimensions! She did do a magnificent job of bringing that bugger in didn't she? Amazing job and wonderful to read a story of such magnificent accomplishment! I doubt that I could of done the same...kudo's!
one thing is for certain balman. you are not a jerk.you may not have the truth...but you are not a jerk.and yea everyone's opinion does matter on here..although they may not be positively correct.
She did a wonderful job. Many condolences to the family for the loss of their loved one.
amen to the Sonya in TX!
Way to go Aviator... and Sonya, let the haters stir themselves into a frenzy now, the day is coming...
Way to go Grand'ma. Bet she is a Republican.
@BobW: Nah, maybe she is Green Party. I mean, that assumption makes as much sense as yours, right?
Also, what does her political party have to do with this story?
OMG. Really??? Does politics have to be part of every Newsvine blog?
Or are you just trolling?
Congratulations Bob, you are the first to inject politics into a story that HAS nothing to do with politics. You win a cookie! Condolences for your loss of your husband Grandma. WELL DONE!
Just wish it had taken that long to drag god into it.
BOB-__Yep most likely a republican because it sounds like they are very wealthy people .
BOB!BOB1BOB! Your are ever so stupid then anyone commenting on this vine. Are you real old? and with any luck will die soon and take your no good sorry ass to hell, the devil is waiting, GOD don't like evil and stupid.
That brave Lady must have had an angel on her wing!!!
Happy that Helen Collins kept her wit's about her, way to go. Sorry about your loss, he's proud of you!
Bob W- Nothing to do with politics, she was strong because she is a WOMAN!
hummbird,
I agree with you, except to add an older woman with a will to live and a disciplined mind. Why Brokaw called this the 'Greatest Generation'. Not just because of their WWII actions, but all the thing that they to which they adapted after the war. And usually with silence and grace.
Actually Bill, you can follow the plane's registration to a company Collins built. I'm sure it's another story of a solid grass-roots manufacturer in an increasingly 'me first' America.
that was a great story for today ; hope i can land a plane at 80 years !~
She was outstanding, I couldn't land on my feet i I jumped off a chair.
Another Florida story !
How does this have anything to do with Florida? They took off in Florida, but the emergency was was in the skies of northeastern Wisconsin, that's a LONG way from Florida.
Idiot
Hey unknown, BTW the "Florida" pilot was from Illinois and this couple was from Wisconsin. Using your logic, "Boy that midwest has a lot of crappy pilots". </sarcasm>
It's hard to take exception to people from Florida. Like California it's a Granola State. You know, What ain't Nuts and fruits, is Flakes.
To have the composure sitting next to your dying husband to land that plane and not hurt anyone else on the ground instead of trying to give him assistance takes guts.
It was just his time, it was not hers. She is obviously a very special lady.
I agree Renee!
Best wishes for a speedy recovery for Mrs. Collins. My condolences for the loss of Mr. Collins.
It always amazes me.
You can be a pilot at a very young age or at a very old age.
Yet you cannot drive till 16 in most states.
I have been in aviation for years, but NEVER would I allow and 81 year old in an aircraft unless he or she was a passenger.
Not to take away from his wife.
To do what she did was absolutely amazing.
My heart felt condolence for the family. Let them find comfort in knowing that he was doing what he loved in his final moments; and had his loving wife beside him.
What a heroic ride.....somehow I think her small plane days may be behind her !
to all those that are "condemning God". whatever you don't believe is fine just as whatever these people in the story and comment is fine. It is not up to any of us to cause another to faulter in their beliefs or disbeliefs. Regardless of the lesser issue it is wonderful that a woman was strong and her self preservation won out over her grief and fears. in other words, she believed in herself. Or is it her belief in herself that is what actually bothers you, because of your own doubts?
@Renee-2522019....YOU summed it up the best....what a wonderful story....actually brought a tear to my eye...I pray for the soul of her husband John and pray for the recovery of Helen....a truly amazing person.
That is a very complex aircraft, to not have crashed it is amazing.
beautiful testament to the goodness of God. For the nonbelievers that have a problem with it... go to hell lol.
What's so "LOL" about wishing someone ill fortune or an eternity in your "hell"? Does the "go to hell" sentiment apply to everyone who does not believe as you do? Presbyterians, Baptists, COGIC, Catholics, Pentecostals, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists?
What a really ignorant comment...and that's coming from a Preachers Grandson. SMDH
And by the way, what was the "testament to the goodness of God"? This man having a heart attack midflight leaving his ailing wife in a precarious situation (not to mention innocent bystanders on the ground). Would you have had the same sentiment if this lady crashed the plain in ball of fire onto an elementary school playground? Perhaps your god could have timed the husbands cardiac event after they touched down, and turned off the engines?
MarineDoc Nice repy. couldnt have said it better myself.
angryblackchick
I see your god has given you no peace. How good was it that this ladies husband was take from her? Her survival was against the odds but not imposable. I might be more inclined to believe it all if both had survived and the plane landed itself.
wow she had a very special angel bringing her down. God Bless the family on their loss, but also on the miracle of her survival.
You would have 176 million times better odds at winning the lotto than for a god to perform a miracle of any kind.
It wasn't her time to go, and because of that she was able to land the plane with the help of God. That is my belief, no need to attack me for speaking my peace. Also, I am sorry to hear of her husbands passing, I pray for peace and comfort for her, and her family. May God bless them and humble those of little faith.
that is so true.God gave her peace of mind to land that plane.I am sorry for her loss...but it was a blessing she survived.I pray she upholds her faith in her old age,along with her family.
It is by God's grace she is ok.May the Lord give her comfort in this trying time.
Sad story, I cannot help but wonder why husband never bother to at least show her the basis? Even if I was up for one time-question I would ask is basic-where is this and what do I do if something happens. Again, the father died doing what he loved-flying!
If they had been married all that time and had more than one plane, she knew more than the basics. Glad she made it safely.