Real Survival Stories: Episode Summary - "Deadly Descent: Power Outage at 18,000 Feet"

Hosted by John Hopkins on Noiser’s "Real Survival Stories," this episode delves into the harrowing tale of Jonathan Moss, a seasoned pilot who faced a life-threatening crisis mid-flight. Released on October 9, 2024, the episode captures the resilience and quick thinking required to survive an unexpected power outage at 18,000 feet.

Introduction

"Real Survival Stories" presents true accounts of ordinary individuals thrust into extraordinary survival scenarios. In the episode titled "Deadly Descent: Power Outage at 18,000 Feet," listener John Hopkins narrates the intense experience of Jonathan Moss, a former paratrooper turned commercial pilot, who managed to avert disaster during a routine flight that turned deadly.

Background: The Pilot and the Flight

Jonathan Moss, a 40-year-old pilot with a background in the British Army's Parachute Regiment, transitioned to civilian aviation after a serious accident ended his military career. On December 3, 1999, Moss was piloting a twin-engine Cessna 421 Golden Eagle from Blackpool Airport in northwest England to Perth Airport in Scotland. The aircraft was carrying four high-net-worth passengers, including a prominent figure referred to as "the Boss."

Quote at [05:19]:

"We've got no navigation, no radios, no lights on the aircraft, no heating. 18,000ft in the middle of winter. But I've got a job to do. I want to stay alive. I want to see my family again. And I focus." – Jonathan Moss

The Flight Begins: Navigating Challenging Weather

The flight commenced smoothly despite inclement weather, with drizzle intensifying into heavy rain and thickening clouds signaling tougher conditions ahead. Jonathan Moss, leveraging his two years of commercial piloting experience, conducted meticulous pre-flight checks before taking off at 5:55 PM.

Quote at [08:32]:

"As soon as you enter the cloud at 2 or 300ft, you'll then transfer from visual flying to instrument flying." – Jonathan Moss

Navigating through clouds necessitated a shift from visual to instrument-based flying, using aircraft gauges and systems to steer towards their destination. Communicating with air traffic control (ATC), Moss learned that severe snow had closed Perth Airport, prompting a reroute to Edinburgh International Airport.

The Power Outage: Darkness in the Skies

Approximately at [15:00], amid escalating storm severity, the aircraft experienced a catastrophic electrical failure. The cockpit was swallowed in darkness, leaving Moss without essential navigational tools and communication capabilities.

Quote at [02:31]:

"It's just not comfortable when you're getting bounced around as a pilot... not concerned either, I don't think. Not until the lights went out anyway." – Jonathan Moss

Moss attempted an emergency reset, briefly restoring power only for the systems to fail again. With only limited instruments functional—the airspeed indicator and altimeter—he faced the terrifying reality of flying blind.

Quote at [04:02]:

"There's a good chance we could die. Percentage 60, 40. Chance of dying, 30 maybe." – Jonathan Moss

Coping with the Crisis: Strategy and Instinct

Stranded in a powerless aircraft, Moss relied on his training and instincts to navigate. He remembered passing over an airways reporting point near Shap, Cumbria, and used it as a reference to estimate their current position. Without modern navigation aids, Moss employed manual techniques, such as using a map and his thumb to gauge distance, and a stopwatch to estimate travel time.

Quote at [21:44]:

"I turned 90 degrees left which would indicate to air traffic control if they had a radar trace on me, which I didn't know if they had or not what I was doing..." – Jonathan Moss

Moss decided to head west towards Keswick, aiming to navigate using the coastline as a guide towards Blackpool, hoping the proximity to the coast would aid in orientation and landing.

Managing Instrument Failure and Extreme Weather

The relentless storm compounded the crisis, with hail and freezing rain severely impacting the aircraft's aerodynamics. Ice accumulation on the wings and pitot tubes threatened to render the remaining instruments useless, further complicating navigation and speed measurements.

Quote at [28:18]:

"Cold can lead to hypothermia, of course, and hypothermia does reduce your mental and physical abilities quite considerably." – Jonathan Moss

Despite these challenges, Moss maintained his composure, emphasizing the importance of remaining calm to survive.

Quote at [30:14]:

"One of my sayings is panic, you die. You have to remain calm. So remain calm. Don't panic." – Jonathan Moss

The Desperate Landing Attempt

After several tense minutes of manual navigation, Moss spotted the lights of the Haysham power station over Morecambe Bay, signaling they were nearing safety. However, with the landing gear still potentially non-functional and limited visibility due to ice-coated windows, Moss faced a critical decision.

Quote at [39:13]:

"The rule is don't spill the champagne, so you tend to land very gently, if you can." – Jonathan Moss

Employing a gentle approach, Moss gradually descended the aircraft, carefully scraping ice from the cockpit windows to improve visibility. His meticulous handling allowed the plane to make contact with the runway smoothly, despite the uncertainties regarding the landing gear.

Aftermath: Relief and Reflection

Upon landing, Moss contacted ATC to report their safe arrival, only to discover that his approach had been tracked by Manchester radar, anticipating a diversion due to the weather. The passengers, largely oblivious to the severity of the situation, continued with their plans, demonstrating the remarkable social dynamics during crises.

Quote at [44:29]:

"Things go wrong, we train for things going wrong. We're not heroes, we're doing our job." – Jonathan Moss

In the weeks following, Moss reviewed the radar data, affirming the precision of his emergency maneuvers. Despite selling his Cessna and continuing his career as a pilot, the incident remained a poignant reminder of the fine line between life and death.

Quote at [45:06]:

"Sheer determination to survive. That's basically determination. Stubbornness. I won't give in." – Jonathan Moss

Conclusion: Lessons in Survival and Determination

"Deadly Descent: Power Outage at 18,000 Feet" is a testament to the critical role of training, experience, and unwavering calm in survival situations. Jonathan Moss's ability to navigate an unprecedented crisis underscores the essence of resilience and determination. His story serves as an inspiring example of how ordinary individuals can perform extraordinary feats when faced with life-threatening challenges.

Looking Ahead: The next episode introduces Els Visser, a 24-year-old Dutch medical student whose internship in Bali leads to a perilous shipwreck, further exploring themes of survival against the odds.

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