80-yr-Old Passenger Lands ENGINE OUT After Pilot Dies!

Witness the incredible story of an 80-year-old passenger who is forced to take control of a small plane after her husband, the pilot, suddenly dies mid-flight. With no flying experience herself, she calls for help!
However, as if this challenge isn't enough, the plane is running low on fuel, leading to one engine failing, leaving her in a race against time to find a way to land the plane before it's too late.
As she struggles to control the plane, we see the determination and strength of this brave woman as she faces an almost impossible situation.
Will she manage to save herself and the plane? This is a true tale of courage and resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity.
This channel is for entertainment purposes only and represents solely my opinion and not the opinion, views, or position of anyone else.
Be sure to check out the full un-edited version of this story over on FS Mania as Tim recreated this event and was kind enough to share his footage.
#passenger #aviation #flying

[@LokiDWolf]

I'm still tripping that during all of this her dead husband, her life partner, is right there. So many freakin emotions! I'm glad she succeeded. My most sincerest condolences to Helen.

[@LiLisLounge]

I know! I guess she somehow had to put her grief and shock to the side and do what she needed to do to stay alive in that moment. She must have a naturally calm personality.

[@matrepharaoh8260]

Her survival instinct kicked in. No time for emotions.

[@easterworshipper5579]

she has an iron will, thats for certain!

[@marcusdenning1649]

That’s exactly what I was thinking. She’s doing such a good job staying focused

[@mattsiede443]

YOU are an incredible person!!! I felt exactly the same!!

[@lhkraut]

It breaks my heart that she lost her husband, but I am also amazed at how cool she handled taking the controls and landing. What an amazing woman!

[@TheLikkinBranch]

Those old birds were cut from a different cloth.

[@lhkraut]

@@TheLikkinBranch Got that right! My mom was one of those. I would have bet she would get through anything. As a little girl in war torn Germany, she had to. I am blessed to have had both my parents, and so thankful they came to America. My only hope is that we turn our country away from the course we are headed down.

[@davidgalea6113]

@@TheLikkinBranch they just dont make women like that anymore. Goes to show how important the cultural environment and the type of upbringing are.

[@enginethatcould5257]

How do you know she identifies as a woman ?? How dare you!!

[@hilaryc3203]

Most women are tough stuff. In a crisis we do what is necessary with a cool head; plenty of time later for the emotions and tears to kick in when the adrenaline levels go back to normal.

[@pinkworld9384]

Helen Collins (80 years old) was circling at 2,400 feet over northeastern Wisconsin. After landing the plane her son who is also a pilot thought that it was "Just Unbelievable" She died on a Monday March 16 2015. She had been married for 58 years. Dear Helen you are a Hero! 💛

[@angelahartman3272]

She really is!!

[@KimtheElder]

🌹🕊️

[@Defender78]

This elderly aviatrix really handles this plane well, I was expecting her to say, "Splitting the throttles!" and "Banking left, banking left" like Tom Cruise in top gun

[@thatmombielife]

What a life! She really was ready for anything.

[@0my]

Absolutely amazing

[@SonicBoone56]

One badass of a woman, has the energy of somebody way younger. Feel awful she had to go through any of this. RIP to both her and her husband. She died 3 years after this incident. :(

[@MaxTeky]

​@@Boats_N_HoezLOL

[@skylerricketts7392]

I thought you were laughing and then realized you meant lots of love. We need to rethink our anagram haha. Rip Helen

[@naitsebs]

@@skylerricketts7392 valid initial assumption, this is KZbin, after all.

[@d.b.1176]

Plane crash?

[@SonicBoone56]

@@d.b.1176 heart attack I believe

[@virginiaviola5097]

When you see how many highly experienced GA pilots can’t land their plane in an emergency you *really* have to give it to Helen, what a woman!!!

[@mikemassey7403]

She could be my pilot any day.

[@georgesheffield1580]

I've found many pilots don't know how a plane Flys, much less how a plane lands . They all should take a numerous glider/hang glider lessons .

[@tomikun8057]

@@georgesheffield1580 sounds bull

[@mariostelzner4530]

SHE KNEW ENOUGH TO REALIZE THAT SHE WAS RUNNING OUT OF FUEL. AHAHAHA AHAHAHA LOL

[@hardanalljr.3138]

Proof pilots are overrated, my dad taught me how to fly at the age of 15 , easy stuff

[@fluxerflixer1]

That little bit of training she had all those years ago and watching her husband fly for many years is what saved her life. God Bless you Helen, and I am so very sorry for the loss of your husband. He was the angel on your shoulder that day.

[@honeybadger9425]

Defiantly the visual behaviour of a landing in her mind would have helped her a lot, luckily she at least had that reference.

[@marcospark2803]

She has passed away so it doesn't make sense to talk to her.

[@mfcmxtt6490]

​@@marcospark2803 incorrect. unlimited wifi and KZbin in heaven

[@icturner23]

If God existed, He obviously didn’t bless her - He killed her husband at the worst possible moment!

[@marcospark2803]

@@mfcmxtt6490 You don't need Internet to communicate to Heaven

[@The_Vaporizer]

He started the job but she finished it, they were a team right to the end. God I love my wife... I think I'll go give her a hug.

[@ohger1]

I promised my wife I'd live one minute longer than she - I don't want her to have to experience losing me, and I don't want to live one minute without her.

[@BrimCopper]

I dunno but somehow this made me tear up, I'll do that too 😊

[@420noscopesonlylol6]

​@@BrimCopper Empathy.

[@coriscotupi]

@@ohger1 Couldn't agree more. I only wish I (and you as well) could be that lucky.

[@lubricator]

I am a 75 year old instrument rated private pilot and have been married 50 years. I got tears in my eyes when she finally landed. Great presentation Hoover.

[@Ad-Lo]

If I had just lost my husband of 58 years, I would have folded my arms and joined him! Helen is one strong-minded lady!

[@stxrryd]

Not a good idea to do that over a town with people on the ground.

[@yveeriksson7437]

🙄😵‍💫

[@Nick-of8zo]

Lots of empty space between GB and Sturgeon@@stxrryd

[@Souscheff]

@@stxrryd she was over water it would of been like hitting concrete

[@Grego-xz9pt]

I was thinking the same you read my mind assuming no children left or amything itd just hig him and join him allow the plane to just fall to the water

[@kt420ish]

This would make a great hour long documentary with the real people involved. Its seriously such an incredible story.

[@cashway0420]

This could be an episode of "I shouldn't be alive"

[@princeramirez2276]

Make it into a movie

[@Kiraiko44]

@@cashway0420 agreed! Are they still making this show? This would make a great episode.

[@Haleigh_Tortilla]

Unfortunately it looks like she passed way in 2015. What an incredible lady.

[@computeraidedyami]

They need to make a movie, Tom Cruise as Helen.

[@frugalsolutions]

That instructor getting airborne and guiding her down saved her life, that must be a good feeling for him.

[@timmanboy1]

I learned she passed away in 2015. Probably the bravest woman I had ever heard trying her best to do what she needed too

[@sludge8506]

It’s self preservation. Do or die. And she had a *lot* of help getting that plane on the ground.

[@bethpace6936]

@@sludge8506 Many people have self-preservation in mind but still die. She did amazing, and as someone else on here pointed out, she may have wanted to get his body down in one piece for a proper burial. She was 80-years-old after all.

[@sludge8506]

@@bethpace6936 True. Good post. 👍

[@tanishaeasterling3929]

Oh my gosh! I DEFINITELY HAD 3 HEART ATTACKS trying to get through this video. Good job Helen and my condolences.

[@DietWoke860]

I almost passed out when she was landing Jesus thank god she made it

[@tanishaeasterling3929]

@@DietWoke860 it took me two hours to watch the entire video. I'm satisfied with the out come.

[@DietWoke860]

@@tanishaeasterling3929 that's why i don't fly ever 🤣

[@577buttfan]

Dude this was nuts,when that engine quit i thought for sure it was not gunna be good.God is good!

[@cmtippens9209]

Not only did she land that plane pretty well for having so little experience, and with being concerned about being low on fuel, she also kept her emotions in check knowing that her husband is sitting next to her - dead. She may have turned into a puddle of shock and tears after she landed, but she was calm and focused until she was safely back on the ground.

[@jedrzejbiaokryty1925]

Maybe she didn't knew he was dead yet. Maybe he was just unconscious.

[@KacciVAL]

A legend

[@maryricketts7337]

She’s 80 and has likely seen a lot in her life. Mature practicality comes with age.

[@standingfortruth4043]

Combination of shock and adrenaline

[@FSMaNiA]

Excellent! This debrief is spot on. Helen was understandably all over the place with her airspeed, heading, and altitude. It was extremely difficult trying to sync the simulation with the recorded radio coms. I succeeded in some places and failed in others but hopefully was close enough to give the general idea. I can't imagine trying to fly formation with an erratic aircraft while trying to talk the passenger flying down to a landing. Glad it all worked out. Best regards, Tim

[@RachelDoesntknow]

Your simulation work is incredible!! I honestly find it pretty brilliant. Kudos, seriously

[@RicardoGarcia-uw6cr]

@@RachelDoesntknowall while her dead husband is next to her.. wow 🙏🏽

[@KE-yq2eg]

I almost cried when I saw the plane land. It's just amazing, the direction, the invention of the plane, knowing she did it safely, God... I love it.

[@dustbunnieboo]

The team that helped her did an excellent job. The lady has more intestinal fortitude than most of us. So sorry she lost her husband. 😢

[@Jake-bt3fc]

The lady who interpreted "it's under the one mark... it's at close to nothing" as a quarter tank was kind of bizarre. To be fair, if it's marked 1-10 and you're at one you should say a tenth of a tank, but both parties did a bad job of communicating.

[@Sertifi]

@@Jake-bt3fc You're so confident she couldn't be confused at all, or even consider the possibility of bad eye sight.

[@Jake-bt3fc]

@@Sertifi She obviously was confused, which is why her communication is poor.

[@brandonjohnson5503]

​@@Jake-bt3fcsince she was confused it doesn't make it that bizarre. Redundant observation.

[@jvincemusic]

So intense, her husband would have been proud 🫶🏻

[@TeraGreene1]

He was. I’m sure. Because he witnessed the entire thing with her. ❤

[@alexxenaosas2416]

for sure , hearing this lady voice i would not imagine has this age ! , in life is good to learn a thing or twoo ..you never know !

[@angelahartman3272]

What a woman!!!! I would've had a heart attack and died ten minutes into that situation. Her husband may have died but I guarantee that he was right there next to her in spirit the entire way and so very proud of her! I didn't know her & I'm so proud of her and super impressed!! Rest in peace and fly high, Mr. & Mrs. Collins!! 💕💕💕

[@SMOOVKILL1]

Elderly people are the most calm and fearless humans. Amazing!

[@yf222000]

Wow! She handled that intense situation cooler than dry ice. Condolences to her with her late husband.

[@GamerKittyEuphoric]

man this brought tears to my eyes --- she did that knowing her husband was gone... that's just... wow...

[@theinspiredhomedecor]

Same

[@TripnotizeVM]

Yeah, I was feeling quite emotional over it too. I can't imagine the stress of the pilot trying to help her aswell, if things went south he would of blamed himself for the rest of his life for failing her

[@cecilandrews7479]

This woman so emotionally stable. She has most likely seen a lot of tragedy in her lifetime, to stay that calm and landed a aircraft. May God continue to bless her

[@user-ku5lj8em3l]

The pilot that helped her was excellent.

[@Monkey_D_Luffy56]

I don't know her, I'm not American, I'm not a pilot. The only thing we have in common is we are both human but I felt so proud that she made it

[@brendalg4]

Being human is enough

[@hightidemidafternoon]

So did I. Cheered her on and threw my hands up when she finally hit the landing strip. We are all made from the same dust of the stars.

[@BoltRM]

Dang that was tense just watching on KZbin! Great job by whoever did the simulation too. 💪

[@stevenscummy1458]

I'm a Martian so we have nothing in common

[@BoltRM]

@@stevenscummy1458 Have you been to Gale Crater? That's where I'm from.

[@BestEachDay]

At that moment she was saving her life and the demand of that action probably filled her with adrenaline and also caused her to put her emotions on pause. She had to concentrate on the task at hand. There would be time to process her loss later. We can do amazing things when we have to. What an incredible woman!

[@7996hobguy]

And when you are 80, losing a spouse is something that has been in the back of your head for a many years at that point.

[@whathappened1284]

I love your comment. I thought the same thing. And I would bet that she felt her husband was right there with her even though he had just passed. I don’t know if Helen is still alive, if she is I wish she could see the comments. If she is not, I hope her family sees the comments. There are so many people saying how amazing she did, stayed calm, saved her own life and she has planted a seed in my heart for sure. I love your comment, you said exactly what I was thinking. ❤

[@F1fan007]

And she did all of that at 80 years old!!! That’s just amazing!

[@lilrr1431]

I think she was saving her husband’s body

[@bethpace6936]

@@lilrr1431 That's a very good point that I didn't think about. Grief hits differently for everyone, but she did what she needed to survive and land the plane.

[@lmundiclan]

Being 79 myself I say Go Granny Go! So proud of you! You can do this!

[@ValerieC83]

I literally cried after seeing the plane stop...what a courageous woman

[@StevenLeeStudios]

The husband was watching over her dancing with joy that she survived. So freakin sad but unbelievable survival instincts by both the woman and the instructor. Bravo

[@Barnaclebeard]

That's not how death works.

[@StevenLeeStudios]

@@Barnaclebeard cool dude.

[@someone-bt5lu]

Hahahahah

[@GoofyPoptart]

​@@Barnaclebeardno one know's how death works don't act like you do as well

[@ominous-omnipresent-they]

@@GoofyPoptart We know enough to infer the overwhelming unlikelihood of such a scenario.

[@michaelmartin8331]

She did not have 1/4 tank of fuel as you and the woman said. She clearly stated she had between 0-1 which is about 5% fuel left in that tank. The guy is telling her to use the trim which is ridiculous since she barely knew what the throttle was. Very lucky to survive

[@youdoyouplayer8529]

I would argue trim is one of the more important factors in situations like this. Especially in a multi engine.

[@nonegone7170]

That woman on the radio was more of a hindrance than a help to be honest.

[@-iceraptor-]

No she said it's about half, she meant halfway between the 1 and the 0 but the lady said ok so your about 1/8 of a tank which was correct. Helen just didn't say halfway between the 1 and the zero in that moment. But the operator quickly adjusted what she said to clarify she understood..

[@-iceraptor-]

​@@nonegone7170 no she was not a hindrance. she kept her mind occupied so she didn't freak out. She kept her busy until the other plane could catch up to her. She would've been much worse off completely alone up there. I completely disagree..

[@-iceraptor-]

​@@youdoyouplayer8529 he said that trim is very important. But it can be confusing to a passenger without a pilot license or any actual training..

[@Snezzleify]

Beautiful work! She honestly couldn’t get enough hugs in the world for doing this and the given circumstances. Mad respect. Condolences for your loss and everything you went through. May your beloved husband rest in peace. He would be so proud of you, it couldn’t be measured.

[@heidi.a.thomson]

That was amazing. All the years she must have flown beside her husband taught her some things as well as the lessons many years before. She kept calm and managed to not become fully in panic. Same with the pilot who guided her. Truly amazing!

[@Kris-ru5ue]

Astounding how she sounded like she was maintaining her cool.

[@lhkraut]

More than anything, that made it possible for the others to help her land. She is an amazing woman!

[@kevinpenner7125]

Think she was getting kinda P.O.'d too.

[@M_SC]

Old women know how to survive

[@Celisar1]

Because this is exactly what she DID.

[@AK-fu8ij]

@@kevinpenner7125 no shit

[@HicSvntDracones]

Holy crap, I did NOT think she was going to make that, not knowing what she was doing, and while the other pilot was doing good, it seemed like he wa giving too many commands too rapidly for her to keep up with, I could feel myself freaking out and I AM a pilot haha. Thank god it worked out.

[@uRBruna]

No kidding, I would have messed that up completely 100% , I kept misinterpreting "power back"/"bring the power back" as "turn the power back on" 😅

[@karenvanhook6748]

@@uRBruna Me too!! I would've been doing the opposite of the right thing!

[@Bearwithme560]

She may have understood more than she knew after flying with her husband so many years.

[@PoisonedByWealth]

Helen is a real trooper for keeping her cool under such crazy circumstances. Poor girl. Glad she made it even though that touch down was probably a nightmare

[@2btpatch]

She kept it together in this truly tense, life or death situation. I was amazed how she stayed focused. I am so sorry for her husband’s death and hope she is doing okay these days.

[@StacieSOhelena]

Fair play to her, her husband would have been proud of her landing the plane safely, I hope she has lots of support around her after her loss ❤

[@exciteproductions4two0]

I don't know why but this had me in tears listening to this. Man she is such a freaking trooper.!

[@ExplorewithSarahlouise]

Yeah me too

[@StudiosNYC54-tl9pt]

Same here .

[@fu2419]

That lady is amazing such self control in a horrible situation like that.

[@MNMC-fs8tx]

I am amazed at how calm and collected she is during this emergency! Landing a plane is probably the most difficult thing to do. My late husband was taking flight simulator training for a while, and he kept crashing the plane... he passed away before he could take actual flying lessons. I have always wanted to learn to fly, and I may yet do it, even though I am nearing 70 years of age!

[@x_flies]

That was unbelievable. What saved her is that she had some training before. If that was someone who has never been in an airplane let alone fly one, that’s almost certain death. You would have to be real special and lucky to land an airplane without any prior knowledge or training.

[@C.O._Jones]

Yep. I’d be a goner for sure. I’d just do my best to crash it where I wouldn’t hurt anyone else.

[@spokev]

Agreed. Getting a plane into the air is relatively easy, getting it back on the ground in one piece is a whole other skill set.

[@ShadowTetsuo9999]

Just not true. Have you flown before? Be honest. I’ll tell you now it’s not certain death. Risky but there’s things in place that would make it very possible

[@x_flies]

@@ShadowTetsuo9999 I have never flown any airplane and I have absoulutely zero desire to ever try haha. (except Flight Simulators) Flying a plane without any experience is _almost_ certain death. There is a *tiny* chance that someone could land it with luck and tremendous willpower, but it’s very unlikely. And that’s just for small planes. For commercial planes, it’s even more unlikely. That would be horrifying for the average person who has probably never seen a dead human being either. On top of that, they have to try and land a freaking airplane. It’s a nightmare scenario in which you are supposed to do things that you have never done in your entire life, it likely doesn't end well, unless like I said, you are very very special.

[@jarateman6427]

@@x_flies Most commercial airliners u can get talked thru autopilot settings that will land for u in most cases. Someone with flight sim training could land with help either way. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5Kyp6eCa9aMpsU here is a guy landing a 737 in a sim being walked thru what do do with a pilot.

[@bradhampton6457]

I’m a low time pilot less than 500 hrs. She did an amazing job. Not sure I could’ve kept my cool like she did. Flying a twin is a whole nother ballgame over a Single.

[@Taka.1011]

I've never touched the controls on a plane, why a twin is so much different? You have to keep throttle independently, or where's the added complexity?

[@polski_dezerter]

@@Taka.1011 As far as I know in this specific case that would be the case as the pilot didn't need to start the engines or stop them in addition however as stated in the video after one engine's fuel got depleted the pilot needed to make corrections to account for asymetric thrust Now as i say that please keep in mind I have no experience aside from flight sims and all my knowledge comes from youtube videos about aviation so this information might not be entirely truthfull

[@milliegirl7514]

Wow !! What a woman 💕🏅🥇💕 So very sorry for the loss of her life partner Just imagine all that going on and still landing the plane at 80 years young and keeping her composure as she did Medal of honor

[@MotorcycleDog67]

I’m addicted to Pilot Debrief!! I was rooting for Helen so loud. She nailed it and kept her cool the whole time. The videos where people actually live are my favorite.

[@MeidasMJ]

Putting it plainly…. What a badass! ( as a compliment). My heart breaks for her. But .. damn! She was cool, and she did an awesome job getting that plane down with an engine out unreal. Great job Helen. Sorry for your loss.

[@theseangle]

Putting it *planely* *

[@IHaveAFatherButHesAbroad]

​@@theseangleoh no.

[@geronimo5537]

This was very heartfelt from start to finish. She did great and much respect to a someone able to maintain composure through so much. Having the aid plane come up definitely made the difference here. You can hear in the guy's voice as he struggles to keep her in the right direction without going off track himself. I liked how he did his best to keep her focused and not think about the fuel or engines going out.

[@Celisar1]

She was focused the entire time without help.

[@MrMicrogravity]

My father was a CFI for decades. He encouraged GA pilots to have their spouse learn to fly their airplane. Helen had taken a few lessons but long ago. The spouse should remain current with refresh training. Not necessarily licensed, but comfortable and capable of landing. Excellent videos, Hoover.

[@Packrat_Garage]

I know that there are tragedies on every one of these stories of a personal nature - but I love these stories of people that have very little or no chance beating the cruel odds.

[@pariwebb109]

😮Idk why i cried whole entire video.She’s sooo inspiring.Can’t Even imagine what she went through.Condolences to Helen ❤

[@Group_Anonymous]

I was laughing at how bad-ass she was…. So cool, calm, and collected

[@cristianjuarez1086]

U good bro? Crying the whole video tf? Chill down

[@Stoptheg]

@@cristianjuarez1086Lmaoo I teared up but didn’t cry 😂

[@K1OIK]

IDK?

[@StudiosNYC54-tl9pt]

Yes, it was very emotional watching this, I shed a tear at the end.

[@jawsxx8683]

I need a drink after watching that. Glad to see she made it. Good job to her and all who helped.

[@lostbirdsproduction]

She made both of them home. Thank you to the operator too, as well. Awesome job when everyone helps one another. Thanks for the upload.

[@F1fan007]

Wow! She did an amazing job. I just can’t imagine how she was able to focus and not panic with her husband gone. Your video had me riveted. I’m stunned she was able to pull that off with all of the distractions. Especially one engine out and the other purging and not knowing what to do. The Lord had His hand on her that day

[@sludge8506]

Yeah, but the Lord had it in for her husband. 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦🏿‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@F1fan007]

@@sludge8506 haha, it would appear that way

[@gew9487]

Nerve wracking!! Feel terrible that this 80 year old woman had to endure such a stressful situation. Condolences to her for loss of her soul mate. Job well done under such a stressful time.😢❤

[@mausgrau]

this was a little too intense for me - she made it thanks to very good nerves and the pilot who helped her. What a woman.

[@SoulKhepri]

This woman is incredible. I would have simply passed out due to being overwhelmed. Wowww. 80 years old circling the airport is crazy!!! Love her!!!

[@kaolineb630]

This woman is phenomenal. She stayed so calm. That saved her life. I don’t know if I could’ve done it.

[@bradleypaulus2926]

I feel like I just went through a panicking thriller movie. This was one of the most incredible things I have ever seen online. That woman was so sharp at her age. I don't know how she did it with her deceased husband there.

[@afd33]

I remember when this happened. I live nearby and heard them dispatch fire/ems. Me and my dad drove a little closer with one of his portable scanners and listened to it live.

[@SalenaMakinMoves]

I would’ve been panicking. Her husband had to been right there to make sure she landed safely before he went on to his next journey ❤

[@jordanpittmanmusic4753]

Lord I started sweating just listening to this! This inspired me to try and be more calm, cool and collected. Bless her and the people who helped.

[@charlenelynch6505]

This was so intense. Oh Helen, may your husband rest in peace.. her instincts kicked in to survive. Just incredible. Imagine her relief of being on ground.

[@GabrielaDiaz-bi3wd]

Wow my absolute respect to this lady in every way, what a strong woman! At 80 with all of this on top of her! 🥚

[@SunnyBeetle1922]

That moment when she landed I nearly burst into tears😭😭, having to stay so calm while landing the plane with her deceased husband next to her must have been so hard. I can only think he must have been protecting her from beyond. Hats off to everyone from the air ports that helped to get in for a safe landing. I hope she got some much needed emotional support afterwards. My heart goes out to her and her family and RIP to her husband.. Fly high captain!!❤️‍🔥✈️💕🕊🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@smiller2044]

This is emotional for *soooo* many reasons. The camera never panned over and I'm thankful for that. Would like to know how Helen recovered after living through such trauma. This popped up in my feed in 2023. *Well done Helen*

[@DrDeuteron]

There is no camera, it’s a sim.

[@justposi]

@@DrDeuteron Its unbelivable lol , AI is gonna dominate us with people like these

[@441rider]

Video game war footage already in news, oh man we are done.@@justposi

[@CloveCoast]

Over the last year or so I feel like graphics of sims went up a whole other level, it’s pretty crazy. I’m starting to fall for them sometimes

[@ZandarKoad]

"The camera never panned over..." What the heck did I just read?

[@jomama5186]

I cannot imagine being put in q situation like this. To not do anything is death, but she stepped up to live. That's so awesome. Brave, courageous lady. God bless her ! 🧡🙏

[@OoMASEoO]

I was on the brink of exploding with joy for her the entire time. Her husband would be proud 💖

[@Ultimatevr123]

I’ve watched a number of break downs of this. This is such an amazing story, and just shows how capable humans are when it’s their life on the line. Just an unbelievable story, and btw, you do such a great job narrating all your videos. One of my favorite story tellers keep it up.

[@brigettefraser538]

I really commend her strength and courage to fly and land the plane, with her husband dead beside her! ❤ For me, being that old and with my husband for so long, knowing he’s now gone, I probably would have went down with him! My emotional state wouldn’t have made it! Congratulations 👏 for such an epic landing! 💞👍

[@DrDeuteron]

I feel you. With a caveat.

[@georgecolon2786]

She's awesome, What a lady , She kept her cool all the way... God bless her soul...

[@kelly-bo-belly]

My anxiety was through the roof. Omg. 😱 I can’t believe she kept it together with the trauma of the situation with her husband. I’m in awe.

[@sarahlachman1349]

Her husband was with her in spirit the whole way, you can tell. She made one HELL of a landing!

[@SWein66]

That she could get into the pilot mindset when her husband just died next to her is quite something. The pilot directing her was stressing me out, though, with his insistence and repetition. Anyway, good job, Helen. And once again the aviation community comes together and has another success!

[@CLOCKCHASER2222]

And even managed to set the go pro going to catch it all

[@etrnlzphnx]

@@CLOCKCHASER2222 dude the video is a flight sim re-enactment

[@rivkahhoneysgirl5442]

It's astonishing to me for all that she is going through she sound so calm cool and collected. To be able to switch from grief to survival mode so quickly and stay calm is incredible!

[@bethpace6936]

Edit to add: I didn't realize Helen has since passed. RIP to Helen and her husband and my condolences to the family. "My condolences for the loss of your husband, Helen. He would be so proud of how you handled this situation and how you landed."

[@lavkmr1]

Ay beth 😻

[@debbie4503]

With what she was going through, her husband, running out of fuel, an airplane she wasn't used to, This Lady is amazing and so are the people heping her. God was with her. I'm so glad she landed okay. ❤

[@scotty657]

That lady that came on the radio before they launched the chase aeroplane did nothing more than confuse her and stress her out

[@MagMan4x4]

Sadly, Helen Collins died in 2015, she got to live another 3 years!

[@lyingcat9022]

Hey 3 years is 3 years :) She got a little extra time before joining her husband:)

[@krissy012p]

Thanks for sharing that, I was curious. I hope she had 3 fantastic years sharing this amazing story.

[@XReflexian]

Bless her for having to go through this right after seeing her husband die ... I cant imagine what that must have been like.

[@BetweenTheBorders]

She is made of steel. Little experience, no license, low fuel, and the shock of losing her husband, but she still made it work. If there's anything I think we can take away as a lesson, it's that if you're going to be flying with a loved one a lot, even a little familiarization or training can be very important one day. Amazingly well done.

[@antman2142]

She did that. Thanks to the pilot and the control operator. That was amazing

[@martinswan9175]

Helen and her wingman did an amazing job, talk about pulling off the impossible!!!!

[@-iceraptor-]

It was kinda like that moment in top gun when maverick had to fly next to Merlin I think it was to help him land. I don't remember exactly which one it was tho, think it was Merlin..

[@makersmark1974]

I'm not near or was ever in this flight; yet the last parts of the footage, I'm on edge of my seat.. She did great.. ..though I'm saddened by the reasons yet glad she now lives for them both.. ..a true hero and a woman to remember.. And Helen, thank you for being you..🙏

[@whathappened1284]

Oh My Goodness! I was in the edge of my seat throughout this video. God Bless Helen! She did an amazing job! She kept calm, she communicated and followed their instructions and saved her own life. I imagined myself being in that position. I think I have have felt my husband right there with me and even though he just passed away, I know he believes in me and he knows I can do this and I can panic and be sad when I land but right now I have a job to do and that is to get us both down safely. This story touches my heart. I have so much respect for Helen, so much love for Helen and I was rooting for her the whole time. Since this was in 2012 Helen may not be on Earth anymore, but if she is I hope she sees this video and gets to read all the comments about how amazing she did. Thank God that she took the lessons that she did so many years ago. Landing is hard. I just want to hug her! ❤

[@tonyallison1115]

Helen , you are simply amazing ! Sincerest condolences on your husband's passing 🙏.

[@dl30wpb]

She died 8 years ago

[@johnlooney2319]

Incredible.. The calmness on both parties, especially her.🎉

[@thatmombielife]

Okay: this NEEDS to be a movie!! The other pilot flying aside her and coaching her: WOW. He’s such a hero. And her bravery and composure was phenomenal. So sad the original pilot, her HUSBAND, was lost. But thank god she didn’t suffer the same.

[@paultruesdale7680]

Glad she landed safely, hats off to her support team. That was exciting from my perspective. My condolences for your husband. Great upload.

[@RedRoadWoman7]

Man, that was amazing! My heart was beating so fast in those last moments before she landed. Kudos to her!!!

[@callmec0c0]

Helen is a literal legend.

[@chrisg5894]

Bless your heart Helen, all with your husband deceased next to you. You’re a true inspiration

[@seraphik]

i lived a few years in wisconsin, and i knew a lot of people like Helen. big hearts and that friendly wisconsin accent, but tough as nails under the midwestern nice. what a badass Helen was.

[@bodystomp5302]

Helen is a tough lady. It represents her generation perfectly.

[@jb6712]

Man, she did far better than I'd ever do and I'm a lot younger than she is/was. How terribly hard it had to be to fly with her dead husband slumped next to her...she was amazing throughout the entire ordeal!

[@wbajp]

How brave they both were.🎉 God knows how she got the mental strength to land the plane with her beloved husband beside her. Well done.

[@billyback1038]

She sounds like someone who is very confident. That's important.

[@badassat69]

Powerful video. I cried when she touched the runway. Yes, she is an amazing woman.

[@robotstonka7118]

She was AMAZING!!! Her husband was laying dead next to her, plane is out of fuel, trying to land with only one engine and she is not a pilot!!! I would be freaking out or crying. She is truly amazing.👏😳

[@momomba]

this brought on so many emotions. what a bad ass woman and pilot!! i hope her and her husband are resting peacefully

[@ChantingInTheDark]

Wow. She did better than I would! Well done lady. RIP to your husband.

[@Brian.Gardner]

Almost made me cry at the end. She did great.