Mayday Recording

[Agent.Oen]

Hi, anyone knows of the panic mayday call from the VFR pilot who inadvertently ends up in IFR conditions and enters a spiral dive?  The ATC talks the pilot out of the situation and the pilot regains control of the aircraft.  He's later vectored out of IFR conditions.

[cessna157]

Ask and you shall receive....

Can be a bit scary to listen to.  Not recommended for kids in the room.

[SoonerATC]

This is amazing.  I'm in ATC training at the FAA Academy and they played this recording during our "Emergencies" lesson about 2 weeks ago.  Just this morning, we had someone in my class ask where they could actually get a copy of this recording.  I will save it and email it to them.  Thank you for posting it.

I think it's an abomination how the FSS professionals have been treated.  Their service and value to VFR pilots cannot be put into monetary value.

[seagull]

Listen to the voice difference between FSS & Center. 

[Agent.Oen]

Thank you SO much =)

[nitescream]

wow!! that was an amazing piece of audio!!

[Avanthused]

Holy crap! Scariest thing I've ever heard. Chilling! I wonder if I'd lose my composure like that if I were to lose control of an AC.

That first FSS guy though...you don't ask position and altitude when a guy is freaking out like that...but I don't know what FSS protocol is like so I can't really criticize.

[aviator_06]

Here is a picture and information of the aircraft that was involved:

Airframe Info
Manufacturer: Cessna
Model:172P
Year built:1986
Construction Number (C/N):17276618
Number of Seats: 4
Number of Engines: 1
Engine Manufacturer and Model: Lycoming 0-320 SERIES
Registration Type:   Corporation

Owner:
Westosha Flying Club Inc
Address:   Wilmot, WI 53192
United States
Region: Great Lakes

[JenningsS]

Not the clip that I was looking for, but definately very scairy! So far as a Specialist I havent had any calls that deep, but I think we are still able to handle it should that call come. 

[djmodifyd]

heyyy....i've heard that

this happened in the airspace where i work...he ends up landing in KPRO i believe...

that FSSs was very calm and helpful!

[atcman23]

WOW intense!!  A very good clip, indeed!  Although, an association is trying to use this clip as propaganda against the contracting-out of FSS.  Having not used FSS since it was contracted out, I couldn't tell you if it is any better or not.  Heck, I've tried contacting FSS over the radio before and never had a response (and I should have being the airport I was at had an RCO).

In any case, great job on the FSS specialist's part in helping to get the plane under control!  It was also interesting to hear the coordination between FSS and the Center controller -- this is stuff you don't get to hear.

[Аэрофлот Jr.]

wooowww  wht i clip !

[joeyb747]

Great audio. Its amazing how calm and collected the controller was and how excited the pilot was. Pilots are trained to be calm and collected as well, but in a situation like that, i totally understand. He actually thought he was going to die. Glad it all worked out for him. A good controller really can save your life. Thanks to all of you who work in any form of ATC.

[alreet-bald]

Wow.

Chilling.

One thing I don't get. Now I can't imagine how scary it is to be in that situation. However was he a new pilot? He seemed to be screaming into the mic, saying "help help help"? What did he expect anyone to do? It's hard to imagine someone with a lack of control being able to go up alone.

I really don't mean to be offensive. I was shocked at just how out of control he seemed.

[AviatorJud]

Wow.

Chilling.

One thing I don't get. Now I can't imagine how scary it is to be in that situation. However was he a new pilot? He seemed to be screaming into the mic, saying "help help help"? What did he expect anyone to do? It's hard to imagine someone with a lack of control being able to go up alone.

I really don't mean to be offensive. I was shocked at just how out of control he seemed.

I agree.  I hope he was a new pilot.