Boeing 747 Dreamlifter Lands at Wrong Airport (ATC Recording)

On November 20, 2013, a Boeing 747 Dreamlifter operated by Atlas Air for Boeing was on approach to runway 19L at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, KS. Several airports with similar runway configurations crowd the area, including two (Jabara and Beech Factory) along the approach path for 19L at McConnell. For reasons not yet determined, the crew landed its mammoth Dreamlifter on the short strip of Jabara airport instead of its intended destination.
Audio Source: Liveatc.net
Edited by Daniel Mori

[@Exoixx]

"Okay, we're cleared to land" "Are you sure that's the right airport?" "Yes, I'm sure" "Are you really really sure?" "DAMMIT DAVE IT HAPPENED ONE TIME"

[@danboon9831]

Well done Exoixx!

[@danboon9831]

"....but ya f*ck ONE goat."

[@TheMasterhomaster]

One time too many.

[@Adrianlovesmusic]

flight instructors asks shit like this in navigation training

[@j.thomas7128]

Over Macho Grande... over, Oever.

[@BlackFoxFalcon]

4:06 "We`ve got this gentlemen there outside the aircraft now." This Gentlemen was probably thinking:"Wow! Man! That is one big Cessna!"

[@Quasihamster]

"Yay, our new Cessnas are coming! But since when does the boss order express delivery?"

[@beckyroy6519]

🤣🤣🤣

[@DrewberTravels]

I was one of those gentlemen that night. It was the loudest noise I ever heard working at that airport. We thought it was going to be a disaster and ran from inside the main FBO where we we're wrapping up cleaning a plane to figure out what was going on. I wasn't sure how to respond to it so I let the lead speak on the comm to the plane. That's when me and the other guy working rode over to check it out.

[@equinoxau]

EVen with those big engines on idle, there's no hope in hell of communicating with him down on the ground with all that noise.

[@DrewberTravels]

the dreamlifter is not a plane that you can just roll up to and they open the window to talk to you... it is probably 20+ feet from the ground to the cockpit. They were also not aware of the the way to speak with the FBO until the tower relayed the information to them.

[@lejink]

"tower, is there a small dark hole I can crawl into at this airport?"

[@dianneb2224]

DJ - just what I was thinking. That poor pilot-ouch.

[@christopherkeating380]

He should taxi out onto the highway and follow the road signs back to the airport.

[@gastonbell108]

It's the new Ultra-Thrifty Plan from Southwest: they can't promise you which airport in PARTICULAR they'll take you to, but it'll be one in the general vicinity. Then, for a nominal charge, you can pay the pilot to drive you the rest of the way in his personal vehicle. hahaha

[@sicboi]

Johan Faul lol stop giving them ideas 😆

[@jetli8703]

Perfect!

[@capturethesky7199]

Christopher Keating but the police will pull them over! 😂

[@redstone51]

You must work for United or AAL? Southwest does have the best peanuts and 7 and 7's!!!

[@cincoboy3964]

I live in Wichita and this was quite an event lol. Seeing that jet on the runway at Jabara was crazy. They had to drive a tugger to Jabara from the commercial airport on the other side of town, with a police escort it look like 5 hours. Me and my roommate skipped class the next day to watch it take off.

[@MarineMorganWard]

this happened about 2 miles from my house. that is a tiny airstrip. It is impressive how they miraculously landed on it. that air field is mainly for twin engine props. There was no damage to the runway. it took them an entire day to get it taken off. a certain vehicle was needed to turn it around and it was about 15 miles away at ICT mid continent/Eisenhower airport. it had to travel on a highway to get there. It only moves at 20-30 mph. It broke down halfway and go back for repair and start over again. they had to evacuate the high way next to Jabarra cause it would fly low directly over it and they were afraid that its thrust would blow the cars of the high way. But it was able to take off.

[@MrHelidude]

Wow ! Awesome info. Thank you. Oh ! And mistakes can always happen. Glad this one ended well ...... (っ◕‿◕)っ

[@pilot_brooksie5601]

At least it wasn't Stearman (1k1) LOL!

[@brianhackert8513]

the pavement where the airplane sat on the south end of the runway fractured under its weight. www.kansas.com/news/business/aviation/article35270316.html

[@brandongerber1999]

Runway was damaged. To the tune of $300k. Atlas paid to fix it.

[@DrewberTravels]

They found an excuse to get their runway repaired. Midwest Corp aviation won't repair anything they don't have to.

[@aerodaan]

The way he reads back those coordinates, I'm not surprised they landed somewhere they thought the were.

[@Lancaster7]

Saw the video then scrolled down to see what the experts had to say ...

[@heidiclaire]

bandolero515 yup

[@jeffsteffen211]

Bandolero...you're supposed to say somewhere in the comments this video is fake. That's how youtube rolls.

[@user-ll7fv6tu7k]

Rofl

[@williamschuman4951]

You came to the right place

[@markemanuele1929]

@@WholesomeJenn The day that I passed my check ride for my private, I flew from TEB (Teterboro, NJ) to AVP (Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Int'l) and back that night. It was about 3AM and I got clearance through what was then the New York TCA (Terminal Control Area). The ATC vectored me to EWR (Newark Int'l) by mistake instead of TEB then handed me off to TEB tower who had no visual on me, plus the runway that I asked for did not appear to be lit (obviously, since I was approaching EWR instead of TEB...). I didn't realize it until I saw a BIG "Eastern Air Lines" sign on the ground, at which time I returned to the Approach Frequency, where the controller realized his mistake and then vectored me back to TEB. It was a good thing that it was 3 AM instead of 3 PM... I was afraid I was going to lose my ticket the same day that I got it. ATC took full responsibility for the error, and I learned a lesson to double check where I was at all times.

[@Inkling777]

Keep in mind that airport runways tend to follow the prevailing winds, so it's not unusual for those in the same area to have runways that line up the same.

[@theRealAV8r]

Meh, I checked a map and they missed it by less than an inch

[@williamschuman4951]

That's what I was thinking only a inch way, how could you miss it

[@YVRCasting]

It's quite a big inch though! Wow, what a mess 👀

[@jacknlogan]

😆😆😆

[@Ingens_Scherz]

Your map is wrong. I checked Google Maps and they missed it by about a foot.

[@autumnlover5784]

And they said there were three between there... sounded pretty easy to so sight wise from my layman ears but with the gadgets and stuff wow with them being all that close how does this not happen more?

[@MegaMatroix]

I live just 5 minutes from the airport and it was ridiculous. I was shocked when I went there the next day to find a modified 747 Dreamlifter sitting on a regional airport. It was crazy. They had to just push the plane staight back from the end of the runway because the airport is so small. The takeoff I watched live and I was afraid about the result, but luckily it took off just before it reached the end of the runway. Amazing! One thing to note about Wichita, Kansas airports is that all of the runway are lined up the same direction so if you are on a visual, it is very easy to mess up if you are not paying close attention or don't know the airspace.

[@michae8jackson378]

I agree but I've done many takeoff and landings at Jabara. Yes they are lined up but still no excuse for missing it.

[@AEMoreira81]

Four airports in the area are either 36/18 or 01/19.

[@johnlewis2179]

One of my excellent flying/flight instructors used to say: "Luck doesn't come into it"! However, I'm not sure that I'd agree with him!

[@aodox]

Wasn't it a military pilot that did the take off? I recall it was a C137 pilot that had experience from short runways.

[@desperatemohammedantheworl5833]

@ UmarAshraf - Just yesterday I was wondering if anyone ever got Manchester International and Woodfood Aerodrome in Manchester England mixed up. Both have (in Woodford's case had) runways facing the same direction, were barely 5 miles apart and had runways long enough for large jet airliners.

[@prunga308]

So the pilot landed and then asked a guy on the runway where he was, kinda dispels the myth that a man WILL NEVER ASK FOR DIRECTIONS.

[@schumi246]

Asking directions and where you are, are 2 different things. If he only asked where he was, and figure out directions himself, he can keep his man card.

[@Bravo-Too-Much]

Well he didn’t ask for directions you stupid fuck, he asked where he was. Ain’t a fucking thing wrong with that. Nice attempt at a witty little comment fuck boi.

[@ChristopherGray00]

No one says that though.

[@mortalclown3812]

@@Bravo-Too-Much Trigger much?

[@sludge4125]

@@mortalclown3812 It’s Hugo’s time of month.

[@G7LWT]

Speechless, as the recording progressed, my jaw dropped lower and lower. Thanks very much for posting the clip.

[@JCrow-kz4nw]

Agree. The pilot did not seem entirely clear headed.

[@nocalsteve]

When I was a student pilot at Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, CA, the tower was clearing another aircraft to land but reported that the aircraft wasn't in sight yet. The pilot kept making position reports and the tower kept saying they couldn't see the plane. The pilot somewhat agitated said, "I'm right here on short final now." The tower then asked, "Do you see the drive-in movie screens at the end of the runway?" The pilot replied, "Yes." The tower then stated, "You're at Oceanside Airport seven miles north of Palomar Airport. Use extreme caution - frequency change approved."

[@ljprep6250]

I flew a Cessna out of Oceanside and Dad used to fly for Princess Airlines doing the Vegas runs out of Palomar. We lived in Vista after Dad retired from the USAF. I remember the Oceanside Drive In next to the field. Deja Vu!

[@odysseusrex5908]

At least he didn't land at the drive in.

[@jamesmitchell6231]

I flew out of Palomar airport with a friend that was a pilot and u could see the other air port I understand how u could make that mistake

[@gabotdf]

"another" :p

[@nocalsteve]

@@gabotdf It wasn’t me, I swear! Palomar was my home airport, no one familiar with either airport could ever accidentally land at the wrong one.

[@cottagechskitty]

So they were supposed to be at airport A, thought they were at B but were at C. *facepalm*

[@sharpfang]

OTOH the ground crew of Jabara has a story to tell for the rest of their lives.

[@billyost1479]

No doubt.

[@nztv8589]

Then they were sure they were south of airport A, or was that north?!

[@stevelalonde1638]

Yes I was the gentleman they were speaking of, I was the ops ramp manager at the airport that night and was amazed to watch it land at our place, it was an uneventful landing, as everyone was a bit excited I reminded all that we were an airport, its just this was a bit bigger plane then we were use to, but still works the same.

[@bdcochran01]

So, the question might be what is done at Jabarra as soon as the mistake is realized. Did some one get on the horn and cancel ingoing and outgoing or was the airport closed already for the evening?

[@stevelalonde1638]

bd C , i actually called KICT tower, closed the airport, until further notice, pilots were in my custody until the FAA arrived for the first of many interviews with the crew

[@odysseusrex5908]

Steve LaLonde What about the Cessna that passed over them and landed? Why didn't/couldn't you divert him to another airport? I'd love to hear the conversation between you and the 747 pilot.

[@stevelalonde1638]

The aircraft that was heard overhead, was taking off, he did so while the airport was closed due to the dream lifter on the runway, I knew who the pilot was, tail number and destination the FAA did contact me about that aircraft and reports were filed, the FAA took all the follow up action they deemed necessary.

[@stevelalonde1638]

the airport is staffed 24/7, it was closed until further notice, until the aircraft flew back out. The aircraft that took off was contacted by the FAA and dealt with

[@MeMakeSparks]

It was so funny seeing that huge aircraft on that little teeny runway. I heard they lit up their tires the last few hundred feet trying to stop. Props to the crew they brought in to take off on such a short runway!

[@fredferd965]

It was in the 1960's, during the Vietnam War, a young lady student pilot took off from El Monte Airport (12 miles east of downtown Los Angeles) and headed out on her first solo cross country flight, headed for Santa Anna Airport (later named John Wayne). She called Santa Anna Tower for clearance to land. They didn't see her. Told her to rock her wings - still didn't see her. Gave her OK to land anyway. She was in a Cessna 150. My own instructor was over Mount Wilson at the time in another airplane. He could hear her well. He tried to warn her off, but he couldn't reach her - too far away. She landed. The last transmission she made over the radio was, "Oh, my God! Jeeps!!" Welcome, one and all, to El Torro Naval Air Station, lots of Marines, Lots of F-4's, C-130's, and other bits of fast flying aircraft, and people driving around with guns. Pucker factor about 10, but they told her where she was, and let her go. Gentlemen, they were. Ouch!

[@suekelley2109]

El Toro was not a Naval Air Station. It was USMC Air Base at El Toro. My dad was stationed there from 70-76.

[@fredferd965]

@@suekelley2109 Sorry about that! Right place though. I just got the name wrong.

[@preston74]

Haha, the pilot overshot SNA by about 10miles!

[@josephburke7224]

Pilot opens window to speak to ground personnel. "Pardon me. Do you have any Grey Poupon?" Yes I know this is serious. Just thinking.

[@AviationNut]

I can see the pilots of the Dreamlifter opening the window and asking the guy they said is standing by their aircraft " Pardon sir could you tell me what airport is this because we have no idea where the hell we just landed at, and are we still in the United States Of America?." LOL.

[@odysseusrex5908]

Pardon me sir, would you have any Grey Poupon?

[@user2kffs]

Pulls out gun and says ”my aircraft”

[@Ayeshteni]

...Are we still in Kansas?

[@PaulJakma]

Like Lindbergh circling over the field, after crossing the atlantic, to ask the man below where he was - "Ireland!" was the reply.

[@bloodjl1]

considering the airport he landed the 747 at, I would fly with him anytime. seems like a good pilot, just made mistake.

[@DouglasGardnerTV]

a "good pilot" doesnt land at the wrong airport. Especially an airplane that big.

[@yuch1102]

A good pilot still makes mistakes, there are no such thing as a perfect pilot

[@califcamper]

Janet Bloodworth I like you....

[@flyingpiglet4698]

knightfive i LiKe YoU

[@samuelrs5138]

And what if the next time the airstrip is too small for the plane (as it almost was for this one) and it kills you? What if the runway wasn't clear? This could have been really, really bad.

[@DanielMori]

@Mirko B. How would you feel if you were sitting in the dark cockpit of a 747 you just put down in the wrong airport in what you know could have been the last landing of your career? I can understand the difficulties the pilots had on the ground after realizing they had screwed up: they are human, they must have been agitated and nervous while trying hard to focus on the job at hand. Not an easy task. While they clearly made a huge mistake landing at Jabara (and were lucky not to hurt anyone), I think they deserve some credit for the way they managed to remain calm and sort things out under extreme stress.

[@Minecraftmike5089]

yeah you woundn't get shitcanned for that.

[@golvic1436]

This actually happens surprisingly often in areas that have clusters of airports with the same runway headings... For airplane incidents that is.

[@cottagechskitty]

Golvic Yep I believe he kept his job. We don't hear the dreaded phone number

[@frgadminadmn1389]

cottagechskitty No phone number because it is a mil tower that he is talking to rather than FAA. However there is really no excuse in a GPS environment

[@dougdenter]

cottagechskitty I live A few miles away,, No the pilots didn't keep there jobs.

[@GavinSteiner]

"Beech Unicom, GTI 4241 Heavy for a radio check" LOL

[@dobermanpac1064]

This is why I remain on the ground. My Honda has never let me down. ILS is always on for Driveway 4758L😎

[@silver-berry]

IMHO this comment is severely underrated.

[@michellelaroche2189]

And no one (except my passenger) gets angry if I take a wrong turn trying to get to the ramp =)

[@OriginalThisAndThat]

You can hear that "Oh shit" in their voices xD

[@singhamaninder5836]

2:00 *Tower is closed at this time* .......tower is missing a lot of things!

[@edadan]

On the way back from a failed first attempt at my PPL, I was a little frazzled and was concerned about flying through ATL’s class B airspace. So, I kept turning the dial on my VOR to make sure that I was well clear of it. I was talking to the tower at PDK to inform them that I had them in site and wanted to fly over. There was a pause and then the controller asked me where I was. I had to admit to her that I was a “little disoriented” and wasn’t sure about my position. She told me to “ident” and seconds later told me that I was about to fly over Dobbins AFB! From there, she gave me vectors until I was sure of my position. I can’t say for sure but I think I might have been the highlight of her day.

[@joevignolor4u949]

They're lucky they didn't run out of runway before they were able to stop. Also, landing a big heavy airplane on a runway not designed for so much weight can also be a big problem.

[@HarryBalzak]

It damaged the runway where it landed and where it sat for a while until it took off(both ends of the runway). ~$300,000 in repairs the airline paid for.

[@icepick859]

Thanks captain obvious

[@vrccb]

Mmmm, reminds me of when we were sent to Gerona (Spain) and upon landing and no passengers turned up, it appeared that we should have been in Genoa (Italy). We blamed it on Ops.

[@masonlovesroblox]

My mom loved Genoa Italy.

[@bravotangosierra6518]

No way 😂😂 I live in Barcelona right next to Gerona.

[@jetalse7974]

heard about a guy was on a plane to Oakland, CA, many years ago. He thought the flight was taking a very long time. He was on his way to Auckland, New Zealand. We were on a flight to Detroit, with a stopover in Washington DC. The voice over the PA, "Welcome to United Airlines flight to Dulles". Because of the accent, I initially thought she said "Dallas."

[@boataxe4605]

Back to Cessna's for you.

[@jameshoward6140]

Way back in 1958 I remember a Boeing 707 landed at Northolt airbase by mistake the aircrew had never been to Heathrow london before. I must say the radio chatter sounded very calm and professional Thanks a lot.

[@markemanuele1929]

I know someone (not myself) that landed at Bolling AFB instead of Washington National once. As for me, I was once vectored by ATC into Newark International by mistake instead of Teterboro (it was about 2 am so there was little traffic). This was the day after I just passed my check ride for my private pilot license, and was my first flight as a licensed pilot.

[@Big_Bag_of_Pus]

Maybe you mean Andrews AFB instead of Bolling? There is no runway (not even a closed one) at Bolling.

[@markemanuele1929]

@@Big_Bag_of_Pus no, this happened in the late 1970s. It was Bolling.

[@Big_Bag_of_Pus]

@@markemanuele1929 Weird. I'm often at Bolling for work (I work next door at NRL). I don't know when the strip was removed, but Bolling historical stuff says that fixed-wing traffic there ended in 1962. So they must have kept the disused rwy around for a long time.

[@markemanuele1929]

@@Big_Bag_of_Pus Yes they did. Look at an old Washington sectional chart.

[@michaeljcarneyjr.6187]

Happened at Bolling AFB in 1968

[@EoRdE6]

Honestly in the time it took them to figure out where they are they could've just pulled up google maps on their phone and figured out what airport they were at...

[@watchjaredwork1487]

Lol you gotta remember this was 2013. A lot of people were still printing out directions from mapquest haha

[@yammmit]

8 years is quite a long time in terms of technological convenience

[@pancathay3417]

The situation was resolved satisfactorily, and no one got hurt. Reflection and evaluation is secondary or tertiary. Very interesting. Thanks for posting.

[@LordTrayus]

I love that the callsign for the dreamlifter is GIANT. No need for fancy callsigns. We can all see it. lol

[@JERRYinCHS]

This is a horrible mistake. Sadly, it has happened before with transport category aircraft (some w/ INS or GPS, some without). I felt for the guys during the ensuing conversation. I'm curious about their duty day and any other factors- remaining fuel, wx etc. When I was hired by Delta in 1988, one of the many lessons learned was shared- a Delta 737-232 landed at Frankfort, KY instead of Lexington, KY (or the other way around- it's been a while). I remembered reading about it soon after it happened and thinking "how the hell did they do that?" It was at the end of a long day with many legs flown, CB's had flared up all around, they took many deviation headings to avoid WX, and were equipped with VOR/ILS/DME and an ADF. Fuel was getting low due to the time lost deviating. After returning to the approach heading the airport (wrong one) became visible and they landed. They weren't getting help from ATC due to their altitude and ATC workload, and runway lengths and alignments were the same. Watching the video taught me that the unthinkable is always possible. Not passing judgement here because I'm not familiar with all the facts. Be safe!

[@Open2OpenUT]

JERRYinCHS a

[@odysseusrex5908]

Yeah, the way they kept mixing up East and West and North and South and getting numbers backwards, it sounded like they hadn't had any sleep in 24 hours. Of course, they could have just been really freaked out by the realization of what they had done.

[@raywang2061]

Viridianscarab Were the pilots fired? I‘d feel really bad for then if they were.

[@raywang2061]

@@WholesomeJenn Glad to hear.

[@samwood7033]

A different crew was flown in to do the take off. Run eay short of published minimum. Decent prep flying to new airport should have been map work showing other airports.

[@angelobrattoli4663]

If they weren't drinking before this flight, I'm sure they were afterward.

[@rickroll3083]

i think they lost their careers man, it's so sad that one mistake ruined their lives

[@Eduartswag]

@@rickroll3083 Highly doubt they lost their jobs. Probably a slap on the wrist, and a “never do it again”

[@rickroll3083]

@@Eduartswag I don’t think that’s how the FAA works

[@cnknguyen]

Shit happens, we're all humans and humans make mistakes. No one got hurt, lessons learned.

[@yuch1102]

I’ll add the part there’s always more jobs out there

[@yuch1102]

DyingIsMyLatestFashion I'll add the part there's always more jobs out there *In Aviation*

[@tonymakaroni2898]

You would be giving a completely different statement if someone was hurt.

[@javacup912]

There's a big human factor here, however, similar situations have happened in the last two or three years, and both military and civilian airplanes. Modern avionics systems' knowledge should avoid these errors. Backing up the nav data with printed charts/EFB would be prudent. But I recall coming in from the Caribbean to MIA at night, from the darkness of the dark night/ocean, to a highly lit city with several airports around, it was hard, though we made sure we ID the frequencies properly. I would hate to be on those guys shoes. Although why the McD tower did not see the airplane on radar approaching to another airport, it's baffling. Multiples flaws here.

[@bleueviolette4549]

Oh my - someone is having a really bad day, so why do I find this to be hysterical?!

[@Strahan740i]

What I really wanna hear is the conversation with Jabari and the UNICOM traffic lol "GTI4241 please repeat, you did... what?" :)

[@seandoran2209]

Kennedy Steve would have got his favourite tug out.

[@Dan-oj4iq]

For me and 99.9% of all other people in the world who know nothing about flying: landing an aircraft anywhere on the face of the earth without killing anyone is in itself a miracle. No matter where in hell you put it down.

[@johannesbols57]

Dan, I've decided that when you look out of the window when you land your brain slows down the speed. When you look at it from the outside the aircraft is moving much faster than you'd think.

[@JamesAllen-hn7zb]

Sounds like a plot from a Twilight Zone episode... pilot opens window and asks guy on the ground, "What year is this?"

[@terrystearns9463]

I've looked at the report the pilot did not.. I repeat did not loose his job. He Was put on report and is flying a we speak.

[@haroldk724]

awesome...skilled aviators like him are hard to come by

[@BlueRidgeMtns100]

I hope that is accurate!

[@antiferproject1141]

skilled ? just have to touch short and burn the brakes.

[@garbygarb31]

Terry Stearns it’s spelled lose

[@williamsmith920]

If everyone who made a mistake at their job were fired we would have no workforce left.

[@JJM2222]

"Do you have the coordinates for where I'm at, right now?"

[@johnhenry2113]

Listen...I need to use my Garmin to make a trip to the corner grocery store...so, no judgement here....just glad everyone and everything turned out ok

[@watchjaredwork1487]

+John Henry Well...Atlas Air DID have to buy Jabarra airport a new runway lol but yea other than that

[@andysedgley]

John Henry was a little baby Sittin on his daddy's knee He picked up a hammer and a little piece of steel Said, this hammer's going to be the death of me, lord, lord This hammer's going to be the death of me

[@Justicia007]

Jared Lumbert no damage was done to the runway

[@philmann3476]

I learned to fly at Palwaukee airport about 8 miles north of Chicago O'Hare and 2 west of Glenview Naval Airstation (since closed). On a clear day, you could easily see all three. Many of the old-timers told stories about about guys who were talking to Palwaukee while landing at Glenview. And to really get attention, making an un-announced landing at O'Hare in a Cessna 150 was a good way to do it. Don't know if any of these stories were true but they should have been. (And based on what we've seen here, maybe they weren't that far-fetched after all.)

[@sludge4125]

Waukegan isn’t too far from Palwaukee, which has since been renamed. Or Campbell.

[@xhl2308]

Psych, that's the wrong airport!

[@ARCANEmateCLAN]

Ooooooohhhhhhh

[@TheWhiteOwl23]

I could not stop laughing but hey, shit happens.

[@luketroyer7620]

Pilot: *opens window "Excuse me kind sir. Can you tell us where the hell we're at?"

[@barisondude7673]

There was something similar in India some decades ago. A 747confused and landed on a tiny military airstrip. They were surrounded by the army.

[@davisx2002]

they may have fucked up, but they didn't destroy any property, nor was anyone hurt. that aircraft is a monster. so any one who talks shit here needs to get a grip.

[@petertimowreef9085]

I think it's hard to under-estimate the severity of what happened here, this could've so easily been so much worse.

[@noreason2701]

You're an idiot. Nothing bad happened. It doesn't matter what could have happened. What matters is what did happen, and that is nothing bad.

[@petertimowreef9085]

Screwg oogle hahaha, ok then!

[@petertimowreef9085]

davisx2002 Is there anyone here who can communicate like a half decent human being..? The fuck is wrong with you people?

[@noreason2701]

I can

[@growtogether]

Dreamliners makes you sleepy

[@desperatemohammedantheworl5833]

Well thank god he was piloting a Dreamlifter then.

[@DonSulli]

Imagine flying in the pattern and your on the downwind and just see a 747

[@depotcat1763]

On 25th October 1960 a Pan Am Boeing 707 heading for Heathrow with forty-one passengers on board, mistakenly landed at Royal Air Force Northolt. A Lufthansa Boeing 707 also attempted to land at the station on 28th April 1964 but was dissuaded by a red signal flare fired from the airfield control tower. After that they painted a large LH with an arrow pointing towards Heathrow on the local gasometer at Southall. The rather large gasometer and a VFR landmark and navigation aid for aircraft in the 1920s onwards was demolished in 2018.

[@MrFunkMD]

After a brief investigation they determined it was another case of texting while flying.

[@borzak101]

Approach can you spell resume for me. I need it.

[@korylooper3170]

Frank Stein Now that's funny!

[@possiblepilotdeviation5791]

Romeo Echo Sierra Uniform Mike Echo

[@crfdln]

I am a low-time, yahoo GA pilot with ~3,000 hrs. and 2,800 landings at 255 different airports all over the country, including Hawaii. I have flown into KICT many times and there are at least 6 airports within a twelve mile radius. It is very tricky landing there, especially at night. It is not uncommon for an A/C to land at the wrong airport when flying into ICT. An empty 747 can land and take off in a pinch with 5,000' of runway -- there have been scheduled flights of 747's into airports with 5,000' runways. Jabara is 6,100'.

[@dudley5658]

This is your captain. We are going to be stopping for directions at this time.

[@ricardohernadez4525]

Thats what happens when you don't update google maps....lmao

[@alexmurdie9478]

Nah fam they used apple maps.

[@UncleEarl97]

I remember hearing about this on the news. At first you wonder how it could happen. But the audio makes if fairly clear that multiple airports within a small area was very confusing. No damage to airport or plane, so hopefully a good learning lesson for them and other pilots, don't land at the wrong airport with a very large plane.

[@brian8556]

UncleEarl97 There are plenty of airports in Wichita, but still, the size difference is massive. The two big airports are McConnell AFB and Eisenhower (our main airport). I guess could more understand if he landed at Eisenhower thanks to its size, but Jabara? Lmao

[@sludge4125]

There was major damage to the airport. The airports are all aligned the same way because of the prevailing winds.

[@davidschechter195]

Troy, Michigan used to have two airports with aligned east-west runways about 5 miles apart, maybe less. There were numerous incidents over the years of pilots landing at the wrong airport.

[@palanthis]

This needs Yakkity Sax (the theme song from Benny Hill) playing in the background.

[@NetAndyCz]

I really would love to hear the UNICOM frequency, I mean poor pilots who could not land because 747 was blocking their runway.

[@DanielDaniel1]

Lmao. First, is the "wheels down landing" and joke? Also the whole recording was hilarious. What a mess

[@infinitymemez3731]

I almost got triggered when I saw "747 Dreamlifter" because I glanced at it and saw "747 Dreamliner" lol

[@fegattolp823]

The dialog between the 747 and the tower was pure comedy !

[@DevSolar]

That ATC guy sure is mumbling rather heavily... aren't they expected to speak as clearly as possible?

[@golvic1436]

The playback on Liveatc.net isn't perfect. It usually sounds better in the air. At least it does when I fly talking to ATC.

[@RobertELee420]

It prob would be clearer if he were at the right airport!

[@yoopernow]

Ever try to talk while holding back a huge giggle?

[@poppabear9279]

The runway at Jabara airport, is 1.15 miles long.. not too bad.. I don't know what total takeoff requirements for a 747 are, but, a bit over a mile ain't too bad for an airplane that's almost a mile long itself. lol. Sadly, Wichita airport runway is just short of 2 miles long.. so guess they did some amazing breaking action. Only damage to the 747, were heel marks from stomping the breaks into the floor.

[@simonenoli4418]

PoppaBear 747 arent a mile long. Wtf are you talking about?

[@danboon9831]

At 2:13 - "Ohhh, and one more thing: Is there perhaps any way we can, ahhhhhh, keep this little incident between us? No need to really upset the ol' applecart, you know? Please?" "No?" "Okay. Um, can you give me the coordinates please to the closest bar that's open? One that serves lots and lots of liquor?"

[@tymesho]

one fucked up calamity, but, can you imagine how the pilot must of felt? bet his heart was in his throat knowing the ass chewing he was going to get, then probably sent packing, jees...

[@AtomSmash3r]

Anyone know if these pilots are now relegated to flying a cargo plane full of rubber dog shit outa Hong Kong?

[@generalturgidson4684]

+AtomSmash3r Maverick will be his wingman

[@368engbn]

+AtomSmash3r Them rubber dogshits sure do look convincing.

[@doloresm7396]

+AtomSmash3r hahaha

[@James-jh9zi]

cougar still is a good man.

[@leardvr]

Atlas is a freight company that in fact does a lot of far East and middle east flying.

[@ScumbagMafia]

I rented a chevy impala last week for travels it had a $90 dollar GPS got me right to Topeka Holiday Inn no problem.

[@cptmiller132]

"you have missed your destination" "stupid new guidance system can't even tell that the airport is still in front of us" "when safe please make a u turn at your earliest convenience" "alright ya bitch" turns off lands "son of a bitch!!!"

[@ScumbagMafia]

My "earliest convenience" ran me into a bus full of nuns that consequently swerved into to a gas station which sent the unwanted puppy drop off building at the humane society ablaze it would have been a sad story but I did make it to the party on time.

[@cptmiller132]

Visual Perfection Detailing lol!!!! XD

[@mikeredburg783]

yeah they work fine in 2 dimensions

[@BeCoShooter]

Recalculating...

[@tobiasr.6903]

„Dear passengers...we have a short break at McDonalds and go on in 10 minutes.“

[@eaboatnuts76]

You know the pilot caught all kinds of grief over this...

[@sludge4125]

Yeah, like losing their jobs.

[@snmp1612342]

Ok guys, there are _4_ Boeing 747 LCF Dreamlifter according to Wikipedia. I don't think they have many pilots to spare that are licensed on that type. ;)

[@worlds_okayest_pilot]

According to Wikipedia.... the web's most accurate info source, right?? :D

[@ExploringCabinsandMines]

Andre Morgan Why yes Wiki is accurate , prove otherwise and stop believing propaganda

[@worlds_okayest_pilot]

.... davetileguy if only KZbin allowed enough characters for me to include the links of articles that have led me astray in my past research. You took a joking comment (hence, the LOL face at the end), and got bent out of shape over it. Seriously, who the fuck are you?? It's a free-source information site. It's never going to have 100% accuracy.

[@ExploringCabinsandMines]

Ya to bad people love to hate on Wiki they just can't prove why. :-( they heard it somewhere......

[@ExploringCabinsandMines]

It has the same accuracy as Britannica. Fact .

[@DiamondPilotDan]

at what point do you pull the damn iphone out of your pocket and zoom in at maps? amazing that a 747 couldn't do them that

[@muyaho420]

you can't bring in nor use your own phone in the cockpit unless you're in the jump seat.

[@Tom-jk1wn]

jyl3570 lol what?

[@TobiasLeininger]

@@Tom-jk1wn that video is over 7 years old, things have changed.

[@lappilappland3708]

Remembers me when the the Chief Pilot (!!),of Spantax Air made a misslading in Hamburg.He was awaited by Press in Hamburg Fuhlsbüttel (EDDH),but make a Landing in Hamburg Finkenwerder on the factory Airport of MBB (Messerschmidt-Bölkow-Blohm-->Today Airbus).The Pilot was able to Land with a Full loaded Convair 990 Colorado on the 1360 Meters (4462 ft) (!!!) ,Runnway only some Meters before the Runway ended. After the Surprise came the Cold Shower for the Pilot.The Plane was too heavy to lift off with all People and Baggage on Board.So the Spantax hastly Orders some Busses to Finkenwerder and let the Passengers and Luggage Transported to Fulsbüttel.(From Fuhlsbüttel to Finkenwerder it´s take about 45 Minutes with a Bus):With the empty Plane the Pilot make it in under 10 Min to his Destination. Since this incident the Airline had under Pilots the name " „Finkenwerder-Airlines“". :)

[@ELAviation]

Awesome video mate ❤️❤️❤️

[@anonymous2513456]

If you look on the map, it''s not hard to see how this happened, particularly if they approached form the north

[@Qboro66]

Finally at McConnell: ATC: Possible pilot deviation. Are you ready to write down this number sir? Soon to be fired pilot: Yes sir...

[@TobiasLeininger]

Can you repeat that number? Was it West or East? ... ;)

[@akrogirl32]

We had a similar incident in AZ when a 747 landed at night at what is now Marana Regional Airport, a small local airport, instead of Pinal Air Park, which is where they store out of service aircraft.

[@michaelrouse627]

It only took him 6 minutes and 55 seconds to confirm which airport he landed at. Good job!!! Hand Clap!!!

[@exceljet]

How could they be sure that they were on final to the L/H runway if there is no runway to the right of it.

[@francikaa1]

They should follow their GPS navigation, like I do, and I never missed the backdoor I had to deliver.... xDD

[@chrisbradley1192]

In the past, aircraft have mistaken RAF Northolt for Heathrow.

[@BjrnOttoVasbottenbjovas]

The atc had the patience of seven saints

[@SoshitoNakagata]

A pilot in USA that reads a longitude data EAST?! WTF?!

[@djetew]

hehe yeah, I believe he was thinking about being fired and the consequences, poor guy

[@hugolindum7728]

Mirko B. Several times he screwed up.

[@Maxmekker42]

He was shitting his pants at that moment. Most would fuck up any conversation

[@Slippindisc]

djetew “sorry I was looking at something else” That would be his hopes and dreams vanishing before his eyes

[@bobbythorman7421]

MrAdvantage He was possibly looking at the brochure for opportunities in ballooning as a career.You never can tell for sure where they will land.

[@IloveSPIDERZ]

Wow! A 747 on a 6,000 foot runway! Doesn't really need that much to take off, but per FAA regulations they do. If it has to abort a takeoff it's fucked!

[@Milnoc]

One way around it is to empty the plane of passengers and luggage, and keep a safe minimum amount of fuel in the tanks. That should significantly reduce the takeoff distance. Man! Talk about a comedy of errors!

[@IloveSPIDERZ]

*****???

[@911gpd]

***** It's a (very ugly) cargo version of the 747

[@michaelksiezopolski]

IloveSPIDERZ I just spoke to my friend (airline pilort and an engineer) based on paperwork provided by Boening almost empty 747 van T/O from less than 2000' and climb out with minimum speed of 110kts with flaps set 15deg. In other hands I never seen an empty 747. Many years ago there was an incident involving the 747 with 3 engines out and one (no2) not 100% working landed in Warsaw (Poland EPWA) on the RWY 15 (back then 7000'). All passangers and crew were taken away in two aircrafts as there was no way to fix broken 747 in Poland (No equipment, parts and staff capable of repair). Aircraft was unloaded and some equipment removed, refuelled just enough to go to West Germany and two test pilots took off on only one engine. I do not remember now when was it exactly, I was a kid back then, but it was a big and well known incident in communist Poland.

[@911gpd]

Michael Ksiezopolski Takeoff with only one engine, that sounds incredible. (I don't say it's a lie but it's wooaw)

[@imrekalman9044]

...and among the recommended videos there is a C-17 on a wrong airport... Nice!

[@counterfit5]

I think it's the same airports involved, too

[@SnowmanTF2]

Imre Kalman the takeoff of the c17 is around too

[@imrekalman9044]

which is like a standard c-17 takeoff... :D

[@kevincady5613]

“Damn it....Maverick and Goose”

[@spongelad1]

Erm oh arrr can't read my own hand writing but I'm qualified to land a 747 anywhere

[@nothingmuch875]

Hard to imagine, but then again surgeons are constantly amputating the wrong limb, removing the wrong lung/kidney, etc.. We're all PFD (pretty f'n dumb) at various times in our lives. No one got hurt, fortunately. Just some badly bruised egos!

[@marlow769]

“Yes, McConnell Tower, we’re currently checking the required performance needed to save our jobs”.

[@worldwatcher5787]

Wife: honey I been waiting for you, plane has not arrived. Pilot: I just landed.

[@tphilips66]

This would be so easy to do in good night VFR, unfamiliar with the area. They were flying the RNAV 19L approach. If they were using NACO charts, the other airports aren't depicted. Apparently they had a rather unsophisticated nav system without a moving map either because they had to use LAT LON coordinates to ascertain their location. Good lesson for me.

[@Nikola16789]

That's a modified Boeing 744 aircraft. Do you really think they do not have a moving map and use some ancient nav system? Nav computer probably filters out airports with short runway from the map.

[@lockednloaded7830]

Legend has it the runway was too small to accommodate take off so the plane is still there.

[@deanlucas761]

It took off for McConnell the next day.

[@GFlCh]

OK, so that was November 2013. I think they're still waiting for clearance to take off.

[@Kodos2024]

This is why I quit flying planes when I'm high.

[@qwertyca]

Being high up is the worst time to quit flying the plane.