Piper N51SW | LANDS OPPOSITE DIRECTION in busy JFK after Engine Failure

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[@VASAviation]

Phew, this was a long editing work. Kudos to 51SW, JFK controllers and other involved aircraft who helped. That was close!

[@BillySugger1965]

Yeah, great job by that Speedbird pilot. How many exits did the Delta pass while the Piper overflew them? Jeez, it’s like an emergency return was an inconvenience to those guys. I do like flying Delta, but I wouldn’t want those guys anywhere near me in an emergency 😳.

[@Mancz8]

@@BillySugger1965 The delta aircraft was not able to exit the runway at KE since when they were told to line up and wait and was a little ahead of the taxi way already. Depending on the size of that aircraft they cannot make a 180 on the runway and the next taxi way was lima.

[@dejhon_s]

Which date this was?

[@kentskor2055]

Why didn't they roll the trucks as soon as he reported smoke in the cockpit and that he had to land?

[@jneill]

@@dejhon_s says February 2, 2023 at time code 0:23

[@southerngirljess1987]

Massive round of applause for that controller. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 She handled that stressful situation without any problems or panic at such a busy airport. Give the woman a round!

[@SteepTurn]

Perfectly said!

[@Helibeaver]

She did amazing job.

[@theMoerster]

You don't end up controlling at JFK without having proven you can handle difficult situations. She did a great job.

[@FS2K4Pilot]

A round? Like hell! Give her a raise!

[@FS2K4Pilot]

@@BrewCityChaser You could tell from the pilot’s voice that he was starting to come a little unglued, and she kept her calm and took care of business.

[@Zerbey]

N51SW sounded really shaken up at the end, that was one of the most intense incidents you've ever featured. Glad he's OK, and kudos to everyone involved.

[@briansmyla8696]

Controller sounded a bit rattled as well.

[@airierwitch4116]

@@briansmyla8696 Can't blame either of them. Smoke can incapacitate a person pretty quickly, I wouldn't be shocked if everyone involved was thinking "we're about to see a man die in the cockpit and crash into a jet full of passengers!" Seriously, credit to everyone involved for remaining so calm and handling it well, I'm not sure I would have been able to keep it as cool as they did.

[@jayswarrow1196]

Don't want to be captain obvious, but after experiencing a _possibility of fire during the landing,_ and then _meeting two large aircraft head to head_ - i'd be shaken up too (probably way more than he sounded).

[@wessltov]

Maybe not so much Delta 1629, but I can see myself making a similar mistake

[@timengineman2nd714]

@@wessltov I was waiting for: " Delta 1629 be ready to copy a phone number" (i.e. explain to my boss why you ignored instructions, repeated instructions, to clear the runway NOW!!!

[@volvodadfast]

Piper pilot must have seen that the Delta could not clear the runway so he stayed aloft, made a low altitude turn 90 degree turn to land downwind. That's some flying.

[@iocat]

I only wish... he's like "Ineedtodeclareanemergencyanemergencymycockpitisfullofsmoke" holy cow, just say MAYDAY it's way faster and doesn't require a whole sentence.

[@isocarboxazid]

@@iocat maybe you can show us all how to do it when you've got your own critical problem.

[@n35ql]

​@@iocat After declaring mayday, panpan panpan or just an emergency due to inconvenient malfunction, controllers will ask for the nature of the emergency anyway (also fuel and souls and hazmat if any on board), so technically the pilot cut it short with one communication change.

[@BirdDog.]

@@iocat we were trained to “declare an emergency” unlike our mayday friends across the pond. I agree mayday would had caused more transmission time trying to figure out the problem Possibly even hitting the Delta plane.

[@LucasL512]

@iocat You could say the same thing about a pilot going maydaymaydaymaydaymaydaymaydaymaydayihavesmokeinmycockpit I can't imagine how stressful it must be to be in a smokey room above a busy airport and you 100% cannot keep flying

[@bd5289]

She handled that like a pro. Moving those jumbos isn't easy and not quick. Glad he was able to stay airborne on 31L

[@z00h]

Well, she is a pro. JFK hires only the best controllers.

[@dougaltolan3017]

Not according to the video.. If you replay the moment they passed, he flew under it!

[@thevoyager1546]

Oh my god, that controller is BOSS.

[@tacticalcarrots]

I was on the BA777, we knew something was off when we lined up and didn't take off straight away, given how busy JFK is. Practically drifted around the corners to get off the runway in time! Kudos to the pilots and ATC. Saw a load of EMS/Fire out the right window as we took off. Glad the pilots okay.

[@stefndogg]

Between this and the recent close call between American and Delta, the JFK controllers are really earning their pay checks! Good job by everyone on this one.

[@oldRighty1]

At first I thought he landed on 31L in front of the Delta then I saw the graphics merge, took a second to realize he was still in the air. I wonder how much clearance he had there.

[@atubebuff]

It would have nice to see a general view of how loaded-up the taxiways were because his insistence on landing on a runway is hardly a requirement for a Piper.

[@dougaltolan3017]

Where he declared an emergency, if he was too high to land reverse on 31L, he could easily have circled and landed 31L with no engine at all. The next plane on 31L hadn't got take off clearance yet so "I'm landing 31L" would have kept it clear.

[@jgpacheco21]

@@atubebuff Given his use of the runway length Id think he was in a over weight landing 747. Those pipers dont need much runway at all.

[@ashleydavis3342]

@@dougaltolan3017 easy to say from the comfort of home when not in that exact situation. Also when you say “landing reverse 31L,” sounds like you’re an armchair pilot yourself. Pilot did an excellent job.

[@user_proton]

Exactly For videos like this a side view Really helps! @vasaviation please take a note of this. I commented on your last video as well, please do a side view also if possible. Great job btw! Cheers :)

[@WillyGrippo]

That ATC was amazing, total composure while conveying the urgency of the situation. A+!

[@adamhale6672]

She was really rattling off those instructions so precisely. It's almost like they just played it at 2x speed.

[@JennyWinters]

the pilot was an idiot

[@sc687k]

​@@BrainScrambliesI rather imagine he was talking to himself as much as to the controller!

[@chaspfrank]

I am really surprised at the number of small GA aircraft flying in and out of JFK. I thought the fee structure discouraged this.

[@Thatguy-fg4fp]

Fees discourage nothing especially with flying; rich people want to fly privately.

[@xenadu02]

JFK oddly enough doesn't have super high GA fees unlike say SFO.

[@Hugothester]

People don't realize how scary a fire is in a GA plane! One little wire gets cut because of the heat and you loose controls in a second and die, add loss of engine power and you have a recipe for disaster. Kudos to all involved!

[@AEMoreira81]

It was likely a hose issue. The plane was ultimately grounded for a week.

[@doxielain2231]

You can hear the agro panic in his voice, she kept it composed and steady.

[@OfficeLinebacker]

They changed roles halfway through, though. Her voice stared to waver and he collected himself and said "I'm fine, I'm going to be fine."

[@PaulFitza]

​@OfficeLinebacker unfortunately she was likely looking at all the freaking planes EVERYWHERE and trying to make sure there wasnt a collision among multiple plans. Luckily, he just had one plane to worry himself with

[@paulstelian97]

I would love a 74 Gear and/or Mentour Pilot video on this one, holy shit this was unusually fast paced even for an emergency

[@BeccaPickles]

Yes, Kelsey get with it 🤣

[@milankowww]

The controller played excellently with what little cards she had left. But man, this one was wild. Unlike other emergency videos on this channel, I felt no control over the situation from the parties, and it's a welcome miracle that it didn't end up in a tragedy.

[@BillinHungary]

its one thing to take off in a small plane at a local airport and have to circle back..its got to be stressful when you realize you just took off from a major airport and there are some really, really big planes taking off behind you.!

[@Vanya80151]

Not really. I used to be based out of KSLC and I honestly miss it some days. For example, night landings were much easier because there was so much light all around. Winter services were great too. You get used to landing between a 737 and a 787.

[@coriscotupi]

@@Vanya80151 *"You get used to landing between a 737 and a 787"* I hear you. I was once landing a Piper Arrow at a very busy airport with very long queues of airliners waiting to take-off and land, and the controller had this to say: _"Squeeze you way in between that Boeing on short final and the other one that's approaching the outer marker, it's now or never"._ Landing in those busy airports can be fun!

[@briansmyla8696]

@@LifesongAcademy Teterboro is across the river though...

[@philalves]

​@@Vanya80151 I'm based in KSLC, and I have a lot of fun when they tell me "Clear to land runway 35, you are number 2 behind the 737, but I wouldn't compare it to JFK. In fact, I would never willingly fly my GA plane to JFK haha

[@AA-tz2bm]

@@Vanya80151who flies the 787 to KSLC, im guessing klm or air france

[@nicojones4272]

I didn't realize I was holding my breath. Wow. Incredible job by all involved, that could've been catastrophic. Love how the pilot almost seemed to reassure the controller and likely himself: "I'm going be okay, I'm totally fine".

[@MrRoman-lo6ih]

I was holding my breath too lol

[@othername1000]

Okay that one was a bit scary. At least he was decisive in declaring

[@sloth6765]

Why is General Aviation in JFK? Couldn't they just stay up by White Haven or Deer Park?

[@j134679]

​@Sloth LGA was right there too. At least the commercial planes there taxi fast.

[@Michigan_Adventures]

I was on the edge of my seat for this one!

[@mijo3642]

Controller was on top of it. Very professional, very calm. Well done and well done to the pilot.

[@dfscott62]

Agreed -- I think she froze for a moment since she had aircraft already on all the actives and was trying to figure out how to clear a spot for him. But then she quickly started trying to move planes around and was able to resolve the situation.

[@tfletch9808]

Wonder if speedbird was thinking they coming toward me before he made the turn

[@PurtyPurple]

​@dfscott62 You could hear how shaken she was and probably the worst case scenario outcomes were running through her mind - yet she kept her focus on what was necessary and moved those jumbos out of the way. Keeping your cool in high stress situations is the hallmark of a great controller. Fantastic!

[@brulez123]

It's easy to arm-chair quarterback, but I think the right move in the situation where an aircraft has fire or engine failure on takeoff is to immediately clear all runways. Give the emergency aircraft maximum optionality.

[@mijo3642]

@@brulez123 That is what they are supposed to do. ANY RUNWAY is available

[@pwr2al4]

According to FlightAware it looks like the guy did a 1 hour flight out of KPNE (Northeast Philly Airport) and returned there that morning, then flew from KPNE to JFK at 18:00 that evening, was down for an hour and then departed from JFK at 20:16 and immediately returned only 4 minutes later. Eight days after this incident the aircraft departed JFK and returned to PNE.

[@JohnRunyon]

What can you do at JFK that only takes 2 hours from landing to takeoff...? lol

[@d4b]

@@JohnRunyon Step outside, and then wait in the TSA line?

[@MommyKhaos]

@@JohnRunyon might just be building hours

[@kdrisck]

@@MommyKhaos Not sure why you wouldn't go into HPN or Morristown or Farmingdale at that point instead of building hours in the stress of Bravo airspace and one of the busiest commercial airports in the world

[@FlyingNDriving]

Part 134.5?

[@ThatCodeBlue]

ATC was absolutely brilliant! Not only the usual JFK traffic but 51SW was rightfully terrified. Impressive work.

[@billfly2186]

Nothing more frightening than a possible fire in the cockpit. He was quick to declare and assertive. He was probably a few hundred feet above the Delta jet.

[@joshuahudson2170]

How about watching your wing fall off?

[@louissikkema5399]

@@joshuahudson2170 black smoke is almost as bad as a wing falling off, as if an open fire breaks out underneath the avionics panel you are pretty much dead within a minute or two, there are some stories of people who landed a burning plane with melting panel plastic driping on them and they were on the ground within two minutes of the smoke starting to get into the cockpit and still only barely survived

[@peterannabel]

ADSB shows he declared at ~1400 ft. He never lined back up with 31L but was over to the side over the water. He was around 200-300 ft when he passed the Delta Jet and started the turn to land on 22R.

[@dalfifran7572]

@@joshuahudson2170 If your wing fall off, in all likelyhood you wont even got a chance to declare emergency.

[@joshuahudson2170]

@@dalfifran7572 There are two known cases of the plane landing with one wing. The F15 is easy to find, but there's also a stunt plane that after losing a wing had a TWR > .9 and so was able to land anyway. Lucky pilot.

[@LetumComplexo]

3:43 Subtitles say "I'm good after what happened" But what the pilot says is "I'm very flustered from what just happened"

[@CodeOptimism]

I initially heard "I'm very sorry for what just happened", but since he mentions composing himself, I think you're right? There's this doorbell audio on Reddit I revisit once a year, and each year I get closer to an accurate transcription. That experience has taught me that listening to audio over and over worsens my understanding of it, whereas walking away and listening to it once a day, or once a week, etc. improves it. There's so much more "brain filling in the details" than we think, context has a big impact. The more you think it's something the more you actually hear it that way. If he said "sorry" later on instead of "composure" I bet my brain would go back to the way I originally heard it.

[@tittyskillet3413]

Wow…that ATF was top notch. Kudos to her. kept her composure. Clear and concise. You go girl.

[@MikeF1189]

Dexron 3 is really good stuff

[@hewhohasnoidentity4377]

@@MikeF1189 yes it is! Keeps transmissions the world over well composed.

[@Crafter_H]

Wow! What a fast fluid situation. Wonder what will come of this. That could have ended badly. Props to atc for fast action

[@AEMoreira81]

The Piper ended up being grounded for a week. It must have been some serious issue…and right during rush hour at JFK too.

[@tszabo86]

@@AEMoreira81 leak in the oil return hose. Oil got all over the exhaust manifold. It’s just freaking hard to get a piston mechanic to come to jfk

[@therasco400]

@@tszabo86 Oh that sounds like it could have gone so much worse then it did. If it had ignited would have been far far worse. As for learnings from the incident not sure there will be any. Maybe keep planes close enough to a exit they can use immediately if they need to clear the run way, but you would normally have far more warning of a tear drop from a bigger plane as they cannot double back that easy. Just sounds like a good outcome for a plane failure.

[@ma9x795]

The controller was left with very few options here and did a good job. The only thing I would say is that if I were flying 51SW and had the ability to land in short order, I would have told ATC that I was landing on 31L now, and then got it down ASAP, even if it meant leaving the tarmac to the side. You don't piss about with loss of power and smoke in the cockpit, everyone knows what is happening and you can argue about the niceties later.

[@Mash4096]

Landing at 31L would have meant doing an entire circuit around the field. His best and fastest option would have been 13L. All in hindsight ofcourse.

[@ma9x795]

@@Mash4096 Shoot me. You know exactly what I meant. I could say it's not 13L but 13R.

[@Mash4096]

@@ma9x795 Huh?? No, i thought you meant 31L, because you said 31L. I don't understand what you mean with "i could say it's not 13L but 13R". Your comments are very confusing. What i'm saying is, i think the fastest and safest way to land it would have been 13L. Especially with the reported loss of power right after take-off, trying the 180º turn is almost never a good idea.

[@ma9x795]

@@Mash4096 Straight down, ASAP opposite direction on 31L is what I meant, or if too high/fast, then a very short circuit to land the right way on 31L. You tried to be clever and call it 13L, but 13L would be the totally different runway on the northeastern side of the airport. Since you have reversed directions, the L and R swap over. If you approach the airport from the northwest, the runway that 51SW took off from is on the right hand side, so it would be 13R, and the runway on the NE side of the airfield is now on the left hand side, therefore 13L. I hope that's cleared up your confusion.

[@vbscript2]

@@ma9x795 I think Mash actually did mean 13L as opposed to a teardrop back to 13R. But, given that that would be an extra mile and a half of ground track and require flying extremely low with an unreliable engine over a dense area with a bunch of buildings and roads, I don't think that would have actually been a good idea. Teardrop back to 13R where your flight path only takes you over a runway, taxiways, and some grass or water was a better plan.

[@daver7465]

Wow that was wild! Side note I'm always amazed when small GA operate out of JFK.

[@MSRTA_Productions]

Wow that was crazy

[@lenmetallica]

You can say that again

[@aussiebloke609]

Damn, that controller...calm and clear, but also prompt. A stellar example of how to do it.

[@eternalfizzer]

Epic juggling by ATC. Nice work by the pilot - progressively assertive as the situation escalated, never panicked, even let the controller know he was going to be ok. Wow. I get that Delta couldn't pull an extreme corner to get off runway earlier. I wish altitudes were shown to have a sense in 3D how close the Piper was to clipping the 737. *phew!* Thanks for the great upload!

[@auwz66]

Knowing JFK and how busy it is thats pretty crazy

[@incheon]

Excellent job by the controller, pilot was losing his cool a bit but can't blame him. Glad all turned out okay!

[@alexstrazza4068]

That unfolded very fast! You can hear the panic in the pilots voice! Everyone involved handled that beautifully! Great job and glad everyone is okay!

[@TheWabbit]

Great job with a great outcome. You can hear the tension but everyone kept their head on straight. I only heard one extended pause in the heat of the action from the ATC, She was on top of her game! I won't comment on piper pilot except to say he immediately declared an emergency, said what his intentions were and pushed his plane over the one before making a 90-degree turn, seeing another plane on his route, landing and getting off the runway so as not to shut it down. VASAviation did a stellar job of cutting this down to the controller and 3 involved aircraft. This was a tense situation and I found myself all tensed, sitting forward listening to it.

[@gsm2424]

this pilot did see the delta plane with a cockpit full of smoke, made a low altitude 90º turn and landed like a champ on the other runway. Great flying and professional teamwork right there.

[@blancolirio]

Good job Victor!

[@AA-tz2bm]

hi blanco, are you gonna cover this?

[@SherlFrost]

This is the first time I hear emotion from the voice of pilot and tower in your video. That was close!

[@JasonKaler]

That was wild. Got my heart pumping just listening to it. I would love to see the screen with everything on it. There must have been 100 other things going on at the same time. If 116 had already started rolling, it may not have ended well. You can tell that the piper pilot thought this might be his final moment, then "I'm okay"

[@yobb1n544]

1:53 GET OFF THE RUNWAY RIGHT NOW🤣 In all seriousness great job by the ATC. Absolute madness but she handled it well.

[@cageordie]

Great decision to get back on the ground right now. Sometimes that's what has to happen. And will, one way or another. Best it happens on your terms. The controller did great too.

[@yohonomoe5095]

It’s imperative the pilot TELLS ATC what he’s doing rather than ask permission and wait (even though he ultimately lands on 22R). I learned this from many experienced captains during my airline flying. Great job by him.

[@Shit_I_Missed.]

Indeed. Emergencies get absolute priority. Everyone's gonna do what you need them to do to get you to safety.

[@IRAMightyPirate]

Wow, I was just imagining what I would do in a situation like this with an engine fire/failure at a busy class C or B airport in a light single. Played out just about how I imagined and good job to everyone involved.

[@dougaltolan3017]

All depends on your situational awareness. The next plane on 31L hadn't got clearance when he declared an emergency.. He was also at or beyond the far end of the runway... If he had stated he was landing 31L then he could rely on the last half at least being clear. Either drop and land reverse direction or circle and land right direction. Both entirely possible with no engine at all. But then you'd have to be paying attention to what's going on behind you...

[@0xf7c8]

@@dougaltolan3017 Yeah but add the smoke to that. The smoke and or fire in the cabin is the worst thing that can happen, and more in a lightweight GA plane like this. Look for the video of a guy that survived his cockpit on fire and landed. Not nice at all.

[@charleskennedy1712]

I think you’d do OK, plenty of taxiways and storage areas that are paved and enormous, assuming you couldn’t make a runway. You could easily stop a PA-28 in 300 metres

[@therasco400]

@@charleskennedy1712 Pretty sure Harrison Ford did exactly that.

[@animatek6171]

TWR asked DAL1629 exit at KE, but they call KG instead (1:45). I just check JFK chart and KG isn't accessible from 31L. maybe they were unable to exit via KE, but they did not say anything. they decided to go further at 31L looking for a next exit (maybe they thought KG would be there ahead?). Luckily the pilot of the Piper noticed and, with sufficient speed and height, was able to continue.

[@j134679]

Probably trying to avoid hogging the radio since they weren't the one in emergency. And the landing plane is a piper, they probably figured the plane could realistically land anywhere paved if it wanted to.

[@animatek6171]

@@j134679 probably yes. In addition, if he had no other option, it is possible that the piper ultimately landed on the grass or in a taxiway in order to avoid a collision.

[@00chips]

@@j134679 The plane could realistically land anywhere unpaved in the airport perimeter too

[@matthewkuo4347]

That was intense!!!

[@Empire91]

No thanks to the moron who could have landed on any open taxiway…. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@EVE101Patt]

very well done by all people involved! props to the pilot for talking about the situation which is so important bc (besides ANC-rule) and obviously the controller who did a great emergency handling :)

[@briansavage932]

Now that was some great teamwork by all involved. Kudos. Glad the pilot is safe. 🙏

[@psutherla]

Well done from everyone involved here. The pilot followed the old addage "Aviate, Navigate, Communicate" to a T. He flew the plane, navigated back toward the runway, and then communicated what was going on to ATC. ATC handled it beautifully by trying to get the Delta off the runway as fast as possible, and Delta was trying their best. When the pilot realized the Delta wasn't going to make it off in time, he continued to aviate, navigate, and communicate by asking to land on 22. The controller again was exceptional in getting the American flight off the runway, who also were able to expedite and give the pilot the distance he needed to get down safely. Outstanding coordination and communication.

[@salsanacho]

I like how the pilots of the big birds could hear how frantic he was and did their best to get off the runways. They knew that they couldn't exit that quickly, but kept that to themselves and just did their best.

[@mamavswild]

The speed bird did, but the Delta was like, ‘nope staying here’. I don’t get it, if something is coming head in at me and even if there are no side roads, I guess I’d be taking the plane off roading

[@alexrex20]

@@mamavswild she was rolling but couldn't just "get off the runway" when he told her to. parking it in the grass isn't going to help anyone

[@Vessekx]

Delta literally skipped an exit, and had to be explicitly ordered to GTFO the runway *again* before the deigned to use the second exit they came up on.

[@Sophie-ip2vt]

Delta’s like: “oh an emergency you say? Well we will leave the runway in our OWN time thank you very much. Plane on fire can wait”

[@dindjarin559]

So true, not to mention the repercussions /job security of intentionally driving a plane onto grass for any reason or damaging the plane somehow. There are plenty of true stories from pilots and former pilots having to maintain some crazy strict criteria, especially when it comes to time and fuel, just to keep their job. Being fully fueled and packed with a full flight, getting stuck in the way is worse than still managing to get out of the way- especially if you dont press the right button or setting at the right second, or follow the exact right process to fully cancel the takeoff settings and get the giant plane steered without risking striking a wingtip in the process... Im not even a pilot, but mad respect to all pilots, copilots, & FOs involved equally, for being so quick to adapt settings and redirecting their planes so efficiently and safely.

[@plzezz]

Proper chaos at the airport, but brilliantly handled by the controller. Glad N51SW's pilot is ok as well as the 2 other aircrafts that moved out the way as fast as they could.

[@idunnoanymore2870]

That was some crazy quick thinking from all parties to get that plane down safely! Props to Tower for handling that emergency situation! Pardon the pun!

[@aerialvideosmexicali-pacod6452]

that was fkn crazy, i bet this editing job was hectic with all the other planes in the airport

[@Ink_25]

That controller can talk FAST! Well done and well handled - now when does the rap album come out?

[@Vpmatt]

🤣"I'm expressing with my full capabilities / And now I'm working in air transport facilities..."

[@davidmichael5573]

You would be amazed how fast controllers can talk when they have to.

[@SkyWayMan90]

Dude was totally frazzled. Great job

[@evracer]

Well handled by all. Pilot had nothing to apologize for. That's what an emergency is. Doesn't matter the size of the plane. Every pilot on the field an ATC is just glad you got down safely.

[@xaang1970]

Great respons of atc and pilots

[@kiyomiku]

This is the most visually understandable edit ever! Thank you for the work!

[@MrMegaMario64]

Both pilot and ATC earned some stripes today! That had to be hectic. For how busy JFK is, so many things could have gone wrong and thankfully nothing did.

[@StevenDietrich-k2w]

2:06 As the Piper and Delta 1629 approached each other I assumed the crash position sitting in my chair. Luckily, I had just watched the movie "Airplane" last week and the proper position was fresh in my mind.

[@eddiethecurler]

Great job by the controller. That was bananas.

[@lukes3897]

Saw this on flightradar so happy you did the ATC

[@billsheehy1]

She is an awesome controller. My vote for controller of the year and then some.

[@tommcdermott3233]

I love ATC professionals. Their unsung hero’s that those of in the know come here to appreciate

[@Rhinozherous]

Awesome work of ATC and assistance of all involved people!

[@flythebus]

Incredible. Glad to see things turned out well in the end.

[@louisegaff1]

Holy doodle! Watching this one gave me an immediate nervous, tense stomach!

[@zacharypiech2930]

Hell yeah, kudos All around!

[@goingtoscotland]

Great content as always. When in airport diagram closeups might be helpful to have the diagram rotated so that they runway headings more closely line up with North Up

[@AEMoreira81]

Or the planes on the taxiways, since the pilot was so insistent on a runway. He must have known that this is still at the edge of rush hour at JFK.

[@TeemarkConvair]

great outcome,, everyone managing what they had to. Applause to the controller and the 51SW pilot, that sounds like it took good reaction to have the excellent result.

[@sushimixy2k]

Follow-up video should be video footage from the tower! Will be interesting to see.

[@dawnwelch6579]

Yes!!

[@vbscript2]

Do they have video of that available to the public? If so, then, yes, that would be interesting.

[@Hartbreak1]

That was some amazing comms. glad to see everything went alright.

[@14thCenturyHare]

Well done, controller and others! This one should be going in someone's training curriculum.

[@n35ql]

I love the fact that after the runway change and seeing speedbird still on the runway the pilot let the controller know that he's gonna make it despite, then after landing communicating he's OK. Controller was a pro, actually everybody was a pro, but still can hear the tension in their voice.

[@n35ql]

@@BrainScramblies I speculate that's in the reasons why he communicated it, also might be a thinking out loud action, mental set and setting to reassure oneself.

[@oldhouseredux7733]

The controller ruled that situation like a boss!! I would have freaked!!

[@gelatinous6915]

That controller and the Piper pilot were top notch. The dude did a last-minute go around with no engine and a smoke filled cabin to avoid a stubborn aircraft on the runway.

[@jonathankleinow2073]

At 3:44, I think he said, "I'm very flustered after what just happened. My cabin just filled up with smoke. It smelled completely foul. Let me pull off at Charlie and just compose myself."

[@EmotionalWeather]

Don't worry, it was just a typo ;)

[@clarkeridge]

“And change my underwear.”

[@robertbutsch1802]

@@clarkeridgeEveryone with a bingo card: there’s your first underwear reference for this thread.

[@travisb9130]

Not what he said. He says "I'm very closter phobic" which explains why he was freaking out when the cabin filled up with smoke. It's possible he wasn't in nearly as much trouble as he thought he was but was panicking.

[@biosparkles9442]

@@travisb9130 he definitely said flustered. Fire onboard, especially in the cockpit, is one of the most serious emergencies on any aircraft, he was absolutely not overreacting.

[@matteomazzei1724]

AMAZING job by the controller. Really amazing, well done to her

[@jonathonjankovich2362]

Forgive my unfamiliarity with JFK operations, but I was surprised that Pipers and other small or private planes could gain access to JFK with all the commercial and cargo traffic.

[@collateralpigeon2151]

It's a publicly funded airport. GA can land there. It's not owned by airlines.

[@wolfgagger]

This airplane was at my home base last year, the then pilot (I think this airplane is a club airplane so many pilots) presented with an oil leak, the belly was covered in a thin film (a little bit of oil goes a long way) we decowled the airplane to find the oil return line was disconnected, the pilot said something about some engine maintenance done at their based facility recently, we reaffixed the oil return line and double checked and sent him on his way, the airplane was rough when you got close to it, It would not surprise me if this incident was caused by poor maintenance, at least from the transient experience I had with the aircraft.

[@fredfred2363]

Good job ATC.

[@dougaltolan3017]

He expected / hoped / wished /begged a plane to just get off the runway, even onto the grass by the sound of it. But wasn't prepared to do the same to avoid another one that he even managed to stop short of.

[@ryancrazy1]

made it back on the ground and taxi'ed off the runway after. can't do better than that

[@michaellang8065]

WOW!! It is crazy when you see these things and you are familiar with the tail number. Hope everything is good over at DVA.

[@sbdude82]

"Get off the runway right now". Yeah, easier said than done in a 737-800. They can't exactly flip a bird in 150' and 15 seconds flat.

[@ifirekirby7498]

True, although I don’t think he meant it like that. If you start getting smoke in your cockpit and you gotta pull some crazy stuff you might be thinking the same way. I think he just wanted to make it extra extra clear that the situation was severe and he’d be coming in quick.

[@AEMoreira81]

The Piper pilot realized that and then tried for 4L (22R). Thankfully Speedbird hadn’t begun its takeoff roll yet.

[@springbok4015]

Exactly, if the situation was that urgent, he should have performed a dead stick on the grass or taxiway. Not one “thanks” from him either.

[@gregorybalint]

yeah, and if you can't, you don't say that you can.... she taxied two more taxiways until she exited..

[@adamhale6672]

@@gregorybalint That's a good point. I have no doubts that it's not instant, but they definitely said they could get off pretty quick and then proceeded 3000 feet down the runway before exiting. I guess in their defense the Piper had already gone overhead by the time they could first exit though.

[@ApfelFlix]

Everyone involved was phenomenal! 👏

[@AaronShenghao]

Good job to the pilots and controller. Especially the pilot having trouble have pretty good quick thinking and situational awareness. It's a major inconvenience to everyone, but hell it's better than he making a crash landing and closing the airport for an hour or two...

[@Saml01]

Or you know....the guy dying. But I'm glad people's travel plans are the first thing on your mind.

[@dougaltolan3017]

He had zero situational awareness. If he had been paying attention, he would have known that the Delta hadn't got takeoff clearance. The distance he managed to fly after declaring an emergency, shows he could have got down on 31L even with no engine at all.

[@AaronShenghao]

@@Saml01 He had loads of space, could have aimed for taxi ways instead, longer and wider than many GA airports, but no one brought it up.

[@hotttt28]

Kudos to all involved !

[@egorman2979]

Excellent job by everyone! Could the pilot or ATC possibly have considered landing on a taxiway or even the grass in this scenario? I am not criticizing at all, just curious at what other options could have been available.

[@mango7862]

Bravo ! Excellent job from the controller 💪🏻

[@indiggioman]

Can't wait for blancoliro's review.

[@dougaltolan3017]

He's going to rip that pilot a new one... You gotta do what you gotta do, but more importantly you gotta know what you gotta do. That pilot was a mess. After having said he needed to land "right now" he flew over half the length of one if the longest commercial runways in the world, turned and flew so far down 22R that the plane at the far end was a concern... That plane can use a 1,700 foot runway, clearing the threshold at 50 feet. Even with no engine he should have been able to land either direction on the last 1/10th of 31L.

[@raygale4198]

@@dougaltolan3017 It would depend how high he was when his day went bad. Being a light plane he could have been at 500 ft or more by the end of the 3 mile long runway.

[@ptrinch]

@@dougaltolan3017 On the other hand, altitude is your best friend when your engine dies. Most pilots would be hesitant to just give it away. He knew there where going to be lots of obstacles to manage and those extra feet bought him time.

[@dougaltolan3017]

@@ptrinch Yup, altitude is time. Time to ensure 31L / 13R is free of moving traffic, then glide (if you must) to any part of it that was empty. He knew (or damned well should have) that 31L was not going to have an arrival. He could have known that the Delta hadn't got clearance yet (ATC suggesting how to get down on 31L should imply that). That leaves 80% of the runway free. If he was unsure what the Delta was doing, he could deduce it by ATC instruction to Delta. "cancel clearance", or "abort takeoff" are the only 2 things he'd need to worry about ATC had the best call with "teardrop and land", even if that ended up as circle and land.

[@CaptainRabia]

very good job to ATC and all pilots !

[@eltomas3634]

N51SW: I'm declaring an emergency and I need to make a landing. LEEERROOOYYY JEEENNKKKIINNSS

[@Jim_Austin]

Good work by everyone involved.

[@duk2k]

That Piper pilot will have the best story to tell people now

[@robertbutsch1802]

He may be too embarrassed.

[@heinzketchup3323]

@@robertbutsch1802 What for? He did a great job aviating, navigating and communicating!

[@duk2k]

@@robertbutsch1802 landing on the opposite end of the runway in JFK in a Piper? I don’t think anyone would do that anytime near future.

[@robertbutsch1802]

@@heinzketchup3323 He aviated the so-called “impossible turn” at one of the world’s busiest airport. He navigated into oncoming taxiing traffic on one runway, then continued to aviate onto another runway with opposing traffic waiting. He communicated that he wanted everyone out of his way and do it now.

[@robertbutsch1802]

@@duk2k I would hope not.

[@darrenhenderson3]

Everyone gets a gold star! Everyone handled this situation excellently

[@djmiller232]

Poor 51SW. Sounds like he needs some potpourri in the cabin.

[@kurthamblet4277]

A++ for that controller. She is amazing.

[@DrzewieckiDesign]

Landing a Piper at JFK… it seems like you literally have 157 suitable landing spots, including runways, taxiways, aprons… and even grass after all. And probably the best ATC. No need to panic. 😎

[@photobusta]

I was wondering that myself, to meet the emergency I think you can land pretty much anywhere? right? but that could have also closed the airport completely I guess.

[@Mike-oz4cv]

How much of it is really safe to land on? Probably plenty of lights and ditches to hit.

[@DrzewieckiDesign]

@@Mike-oz4cv Lights would be cut-off. You have all taxiways, aprons, roads. This is just a small Piper we are taling about.

[@joeheitz1833]

great (SIMPLY OUTSTANDING) job by the controller/s. Everyone did an wonderfully professional and calm job. Wow! Great job by all.

[@MillionFoul]

Good work to the pilot. He was stressed and it shows but he was composed enough to fly the airplane and to communicate clearly what he needed. He declared his emergency and told the tower exactly what he wanted as soon as he decided what he was doing. That allowed the tower to try and clear the runways and the BAW aircraft to know what they needed to do and that they needed to do it quick. Really, class act by everyone on frequency, they all got the urgency and did what needed to be done to keep everyone as safe as possible.

[@HitechProductions]

Yup, really shows the importance of "fly the plane" first.

[@dougaltolan3017]

Nahh, he went to pieces so fast I'm surprised airport staff didn't get hit by shrapnel. Having said he needed to land opposite direction, he then proceeded to fly the rest of 31L, turn and fly so far down 22R that his landing might be obstructed by a plane at the far end. He can land in 1/10th of either of those runways. JFK 31L is one of the longest commercial runways in the world. Even with no engine he could have landed either direction on 31L.

[@MillionFoul]

@@dougaltolan3017 Man that's crazy that you know his energy state and how much power his engine was producing just from his radio transmissions! You should probably go work for the NTSB, I'm sure they could use your scenario reconstruction skills and obvious extreme level of composure!

[@HitechProductions]

@@dougaltolan3017 I think he believed that his engine was failing, but he kept flying the plane. He expected the engine to quit any second, but it did not. He continued to fly the plane. Yes, he was in a state of controlled panic, but the key word there is controlled. 😎