Landing a CRIPPLED Boeing 737! Navy F/A-18 Hornet Pilot & Heroic Airline Captain: Tammie Jo Shults

Tammie Jo Shults is a former Naval Aviator and retired Southwest Airlines captain. During her Navy career she persevered through many challenges to become one of the first female pilots of the amazing F/A-18 Hornet. She received worldwide acclaim in 2018 when she and her crew successfully landed a crippled Boeing 737, following an uncontained engine failure and rapid depressurization that nearly rendered the aircraft unflyable. In 2020, she was inducted into the international air and space hall of fame.
Her book Nerves of Steel, details a life from humble beginnings, dedicated to those around her and inspiring others to follow their own dreams in the face of adversity.
“SocialFlight Live!” is a live broadcast dedicated to supporting General Aviation pilots and enthusiasts during these challenging times. Register at SocialFlightLive.com to join the live broadcast every Tuesday evening at 8pm ET (be sure to join early because attendance is limited for the live broadcasts).

[@usaturnuranus]

"I took his advice - I found something girls could do". Awesome!

[@Solitaryman70]

That was adlibed for the feminist.

[@robertcovell2787]

That lady has an awesome attitude! Totally inspiring. When I was young enough to fly I never got past a rented J3 but if I ever grow up I want to be like her.

[@glenw-xm5zf]

Attitude SO positive. What an inspiration! She has faith in God, for sure

[@parkburrets4054]

My next door neighbor landed airplanes on golf courses inside the New York City limits in the 1930s! My flight instructor in the 1970s was an astronaut. Both were women. Many of my bosses 40 years ago at NASA were women.

[@silasmarner7586]

That was a tough, tough, tough situation. I know were I a passenger in that plane I would be EXTREMELY unhappy, but I'd have those two in the cockpit any old time. I"m sure her F-18 experience made quite a difference, and possibly THE difference. Kudos to both for threading the needle.

[@doylefrost4314]

I really appreciate her talking so highly of the A-4. I spent two years working on them as an aviation electrician, then as an aviation ordnance man, on the USS America and the USS Intrepid, in the Gulf of Tonkin, with some of the best Airdales in the navy, VA-36 Roadrunners. Most of our pilots loved our A-4C's.

[@TheProficientPilot]

Great to hear the firsthand account of a comrade who did it right! Thanks!

[@davidmckinlay555]

Saw the actual flight video a year or so ago now, just watched this video! What an inspiring and awesome lady, what an amazing attitude. Absolutely incredible! God bless this very special lady!

[@Ilgenfixit80]

Always happy to be a Navy family, but especially proud to know that this aviator was from the Navy.

[@BrentKamrath]

What an amazing pilot, she flew a plane that I was on awhile back. Very professional...

[@VirgelCarr]

Wonderful interview and a unreal experience. Kudos to Tammie Jo Shults!!!

[@alexc30]

one of your best interviewees yet - inspirational story from a talented aviator

[@richs6205]

Great inspirational story and well told by a talented aviator.

[@tobyray8700]

She was beyond cool under pressure & has professionalism dripping from her fingers. She a hero.

[@stefkadank-derpjr1453]

I ❤ it. At the last of his career my Dad worked with ABX air in Wilmington, Oh. He came to our school every year (b4 his work at ABX) in the late 60's and early 70's.....My Dad would say "Women can barely park a car, can you imagine them trying to park an airplane? Causing all the boys to have fits of laughter. So much has changed in 50 years.

[@pcka12]

Many females still have problems with with parallel parking but by no means all do, it is to do with perception.

[@stefkadank-derpjr1453]

@pcka12 So funny, my 4th and youngest child has his learners permit and is preparing for his driver's license test. His father works out of town sometimes on a three week stretch. A few weeks ago, my son asked if we could teach him to parallel park and his Dad piped up...I can teach you, but I know your Mom can't parallel park. I reminded my husband that he was actually the one who taught me to parallel the park over 30 years ago using some old wicker chairs from the barn of the property we purchased as the "cars." He said, "Yeah, it took her forever to be able to do it. "...."Then what happened in the real world the first time you had to park like that?" Answer: I was meeting my husband for lunch downtown, and we were driving separate cars. The spot I found right in front of the restaurant was a parallel parking spot, so I tried a few times and couldn't get in (p*ssing the people off behind me, I am sure). My husband soon arrived and saw what was going on....*b4 cell phones...had me get out of the car and parked it for me.

[@BuddhaKat1]

What a great interview. I love the grit this woman has. What an asset.

[@gawebm]

"so I rolled the plane inverted!" - almost spit up on my keyboard! That may be the funniest pilot story I've ever heard! Such an impressive lady. Great interview.

[@Aviatorpeck1957]

Wow!!! amazing... Thank you

[@bradolsen8629]

Everybody you have to agree with me when I tell you that she is just precious. What a precious woman very sweet.

[@Ms.Opinionated]

Great interview!

[@FPVREVIEWS]

Very informative interview of both mishaps. Would love to hear more detail about the flight dynamics behind each

[@jerryeubanks491]

This is the first time I've seen your channel and it's excellent I will subscribe. This lady having two incidences one in a military jet and one in a commercial jet explains why military and commercial jets must be expertly trained even though the incident in the T2 I believe she stated had never been in training or Sims. Very good discussion an hour was a perfect time to explain her heroic actions. If you talk to her again tell her thank you for her service to this country

[@walterthorne4819]

Beautiful…thank you

[@paulazemeckis7835]

She's such a great role model for young women. Thank you for featuring her!

[@tulsavol6653]

And of course young men a well. This interview was also such a great overall teaching opportunity on life's ever changing many variations and turns. Thanks for sharing your time for us. Truly informative and inspirational.

[@josephdupont]

What an amazing person

[@postersm7141]

Excellent story. There was definitely a very good CRM in that cockpit that day!!

[@charleswood3705]

FLY NAVY🇺🇸👍

[@josephcooksley3219]

Amazing story of the ups and Downs of life in a Cockpit with Great Out Comes ... 🎉

[@krzysamm7095]

Read her book and it is fantastic.

[@dansbrown1313]

Thanks for this video, I would have really enjoyed it if you had inserted photographs of the different airplanes mentioned and a picture of the damage to the 737. Cheers

[@peterjones6733]

Such a refreshing interview! Lovely, interesting, intelligent woman who didn’t answer each question with ‘so…’. SO Refreshing!!

[@geofiggy]

Excellent interview and Tammie Jo, what an amazing person and aviator. I am so impressed at her acknowledgement of her team and passengers. This is more of what we need as a human beings. She really puts the "human" in human being. I'd fly with her ANYTIME. Continued success TJS. Take care, fly safe and God bless. 🖖🏼🤗

[@josephdupont]

This amazing lady is also a great supporter of the Salvation Army!

[@RA-II]

Well done on landing the plane. Your a hero

[@notfakenewsofpa386]

Glad she never gave up.

[@georgepaiva7496]

All military pilots learn to stay cool under fire their life will depend on it during battle. If they can’t handle it during training they get washed out

[@tobyray8700]

Tammy is a true bad-ass.

[@johnd.8224]

Go Navy!!! NavAir - '67-'71, F4 Phantoms VF121.

[@59Schnauzermom]

I read her book, she is an amazing person

[@glenw-xm5zf]

she was SO calm, during that time. Women can fly just as good as a male.. and they multi task much better. BTW finishing off a pre med is an accomplishment in itself

[@nickviner1225]

Tammie is one eloquent young lady. She is also one hell of a pilot.

[@SundanceHelicopterTours]

What a lovely person - and I love her „downwind entry“ at 21:11 🫡

[@ajdogcurr1]

Amazing inspiring life.

[@terencenxumalo1159]

good work

[@doyline45]

I know her parents are proud! Great pilot!

[@baynardduke]

I had the opportunity to meet Tammie Jo in Farmington New Mexico at the Sam’s Club gas station. I had read about her that morning on the internet and found out she had family in Aztec about 10 miles away, thinking I would like to meet her someday. That morning as I drove past Sam’s Club I looked at my gas gauge, it was 3/4 level, but something told me to fill up. As I was filling my truck a car pulled up behind me and a lady got out of the car behind that one. I couldn’t believe it there standing in front of me was Tammie Jo Shultz, after asking her if that was her name she came over took a selfie with me. She was so nice one of my highlights I won’t forget. First thing I did was bought her book to read.

[@kymw7833]

I'm 66yrs old and I feel inspired by this lady she is just amazing well done Tammy you confirm what I've always thought Pilots are a very special bread of people Thank you Kym Adelaide South Australia

[@nickviner1225]

Yes they do tend to have more money than the rest of us!!!

[@russelllindsay2702]

Have read the story of Robin Miller, Sugarbird Lady? Amazing story. She wrote two books ‘Flying Nurse’ and ‘Sugarbird Lady’ Russell, South Hedland, Australia

[@RDAmidwest]

"Airplanes don't fly well sideways." ❤

[@babygrrlpc5057]

Before I heard anything else about the SW flight, I heard the ATC recording. It was when she pulled the plane off the runway and uttered "Thank you, Lord, thank you, Lord, thank you, Lord" that I first realized THIS was a different kind of pilot. So many times I hear pilots patting themselves on the back for some amazing feat, never acknowledging the wisdom God gave them, the miraculous conditions during their incident that made the difference (Sully "just happened" to be flying a plane with floats and had a glider background). But TJS recognized that she wasn't just helped by her crew and passengers. She had divine help. It was a beautiful moment, despite the tragedy, and when I heard her words, I shed tears. She's the kind of pilot I want in my cockpit. I want to fly with someone who doesn't think they are captains of the universe and can "will" away disaster in their own power.

[@gregoryschmitz2131]

She clearly is an accomplished aviator but she also conveys what she is talking about extremely well. I can attest to the adrenaline thing, got an airplane into a spin (no training) and while there was a short period of panic, that was followed by, I am going to die, total calm and is there anything I can do about it? Ok, this is a spin, I have read aviation books my whole life (Wolfgang Langowitz included) and what is the solution to a spin? Full opposite rudder (yea I missed neutralizing controls part - bless Cessna, they make a very solid aircraft).

[@PaulWalker-zk2dd]

An hour well spent!

[@josephcooksley3219]

Calm Cool and Collected

[@Old_Foxy_Grandpa]

Hineman's Hot Rod. The A4 was a great plane

[@glenw-xm5zf]

🖤🖤🖤 @ Tammie Jo.

[@dandavis4469]

Wow!

[@timkellyD2R]

Fly Navy!

[@rael5469]

RAG in Navy jargon is Replacement Air Group.

[@spikenomoon]

I wish you could find other pilots that have done incredible landings or emergency situations.

[@operationgoldilocks2481]

Have you seen “Devotion”📽?

[@rickvoit7310]

If you like this, by all means read Tammy Jo’s book! Tammy is cool beyond words. A great personal regret is that I blew a chance to shake Tammy Jo’s hand while at an Oshkosh cocktail reception - but she was already in conversation and I didn’t want to interrupt.

[@tobyray8700]

The story about the mother who was killed & the loving relationship her and her high school sweetheart husband had is absolutely heartbreaking.

[@mikeneill6813]

Is there any footage of the landing at Philadelphia?

[@operationgoldilocks2481]

How do you socialize high school guidance counselors to be pro aviation?

[@Mike-01234]

She had a commander say, "I will not have a woman teaching guns". Wonder if he is still alive today and what he thinks of that now.

[@josephdupont]

How moving..determinstionm

[@parkburrets4054]

My next door neighbor landed airplanes on golf courses inside the New York City limits in the 1930s! My flight instructor in the 1970s was an astronaut. Both were women. Many of my bosses 40 years ago at NASA were women.

[@swampcat0712]

I went into the Navy in the mid 80s as an engineer. but what I want to know is - how the hell does this woman look so young???

[@paulprigge1209]

Make them say no! Geewhiz wonder where I heard that from Navy pilot maybe I forgot . He is an author.

[@Richc19589]

A great lady.

[@naamanpratt]

💫

[@operationgoldilocks2481]

SPO?

[@spikenomoon]

Incredible lady. Why was the 737 almost not flyable. Was there other damages I’m not aware of ????

[@larrybe2900]

She mentioned there were cables severed and wing damage along with partial loss of hydraulics.

[@myt1974]

This video explains in greater detail what happened during that flight kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6vOl4yga7h1rtE

[@robertlane3513]

very very smart lady and so great for her passengers that terrible day.

[@robertmoir5695]

SO !

[@rael5469]

In the early '80s I saw females flying KC-135s and B-52s.

[@cyd6569]

I think this was actually a Southwest flight, rather than United.

[@bradolsen8629]

Oh, she’s so adorable

[@luiul1]

good news: we're still in the air. bad news: we're going to philly.

[@072570ppft]

I tried to join the Air Force in 1973 and I was rejected for flat feet. I already had my private license and college degree.

[@wilsonjeter]

Ask her about the planes she crashed ?

[@jameswood9764]

Civil Air Patrol.

[@bluetx54]

I wonder why they didn't land in Lancaster with a woman hanging out the window? and flew on to Philly?

[@operationgoldilocks2481]

Some of military training provides reflexes relevant to civilian flying, some does not. For how long did you consider ejecting after the engine blew?🚀🚀. In other words did you think “If not stable at x altitude we’ll EJECT. 🤯Oops. We’re not in a fighter. We got passengers. Skip that-not an option”? Or does the civilian ✈️flying mindset obviate such a mental deviation?

[@dethray1000]

most pilots are aware of the limitations--the ones that are not are no longer with us...

[@cjswa6473]

Why is it ,,, always,, heroics are always required from "weak sisters". Once very marginal,,,now a hero. A few questions. Was there unusual vibration either felt on the start levers or on the vib. Guages. Was it over temped at engine start or on takeoff roll. Was it overboosted? 10 other questions????. True heroes are the ones that avoid it. What if Sully said " Departure, I need runway heading for birds" . Or SWA 1308...pull that engine smoothly back a bit. Doesn't feel right ".

[@roberthodge2771]

2 of 3 Genius grade minds I have known were women. One was in 1/2 of 12 percent in MENSA at age 25 worked as a cocktail worker in Reno, NV because men did not pay smart women enough. She could and did remember ALL needed data for 250 clients drink orders as ell as what they looked like in Harolds /Club; now long gone.She was tested on this feat. 6'4" in high heels and gorgeous too. She was fun to talk to as well; before a horse stepped on my head in 1970.

[@sophiejaysstuff4026]

Why was the aircraft "almost unflyable"? All pilots are trained for this...... I like her attitude but this was not a hero situation.

[@thatairplaneguy]

The feminists don’t like to celebrate class acts like this aviatrix. They’ve sure missed the mark while this lady set the bar. I know this comment might come off as off-putting but I think it needs said. Personally we’re all human and anyone can fly an airplane but only aviators were born with such an innate ability to handle bad situations with grace and success. That said, she should be celebrated and those feminists who like to tout that won’t touch truly beautiful and skilled women like her.

[@irisfields1659]

❤God landed that plane😅

[@Solitaryman70]

There has to be a time when these Egomaniac feminists say to themselves; WHAT AM I NUTTS . What pisses me off the most is when they harp about men having big Egos. 😏🤨. Righhhttt.

[@lylenesvold6700]

So much unnecessary talking.

[@robertmoir5695]

I could n t care less

[@Tacticaldave1]

While I have all the respect for Captain Shults' skill and professionalism, I don't think heroic applies here. What else was she going to do - refuse to do her job and fly her ship? Also bears repeating there are two pilots up there for a reason. It seems Ellisor is getting the Skiles treatment. Then there's the airplane - specifically designed to survive such situations i.e. not even close to unflyable. I will just come out and say it - all this hype is due, in part, because Shults is a woman.

[@PAS_2020]

Have already read Tammy‘s book - it is a must read. Inspiring at every level. 🫡

[@killyourtelllievision]

I am positive that many of her colleagues who opposed her presence were undoubtedly either threatened by her or unable to take rejection by such a beautiful pilot in the same ready rooms and flightsuits as them

[@Solitaryman70]

You gotta admit, it has to an annoying distraction. That’s why the world is so weird and screwed up, everybody wants to rule the world. Equality on everything about everything only brings misery not happiness.

[@24thelder72]

Tammie Jo Shults .... Bless you, absolute respect & Thankyou kdag PlymouthUK 2023Aug29th.1144hr.bst

[@robertmoir5695]

I disagree robertcovell2787

[@leiflevin3479]

Respekt

[@bryanjennings5262]

Wow!