Accidents
NTSB: Pax Safely Lands King Air after Pilot Collapsed
Pilot died of cardiac arrest during the flight

A passenger with no pilot certificate landed a Beechcraft King Air C90A safely at Meadows Field Airport (KBFL) in Bakersfield, California, after the 78-year-old pilot lost consciousness during a flight on Oct. 4, 2024, according to a newly released NTSB final report. Guided by air traffic control, the passenger safely brought the turboprop twin to a straight-in landing following the pilot’s in-flight cardiac arrest. The pilot died from the medical event.

The airplane departed Las Vegas Henderson Executive Airport (KHND) on a Part 91 personal flight to California’s Monterey Regional Airport (KMRY), with the passenger and pilot aboard. At FL200, the pilot became unresponsive, and the passenger began CPR before radioing air traffic control, which provided navigation and operational guidance.