Come in. Welcome. I'm E .G. Marshall. Where do
you live in the North American continent? It's
hard to imagine that given a reasonably clear
day without cloud cover, you won't see an airplane.
The great silver birds roaming the sky, sometimes
leaving the contrail in their wake, written like
a chalk mark on the blue board of the heavens.
So safe, so sure, so poised. The actuarial figures
prove beyond a shadow of a doubt. There is no
safer method of transport, despite the myriad
things that could go wrong. The only trouble
is that when something does... Flight 113 transways
airlines to traffic control. Do you read me?
Do you read me? The flight... Flight 113 to traffic
control. Oh, read me. Read me. Oh, every transceiver
can't be out. I'm flight 113 transwasted. No,
I can't. I can't. Lady! Lady! The mystery drama,
Terror in the Air, was written especially for
the mystery theater by Ian Martin and stars Robert
Dryden and Jennifer Harmon. I'll be back shortly
with act one. Flight 113, Transways Airlines,
took off from Miami, DC -9 four -engine jet bound
for Seattle, Washington, with one set down at
Kansas City. The bulk of the manifest was a large
charter of meat packers returning from the convention
to be dropped off at Kansas City. The small remaining
nucleus of passengers was to be increased by
only one pickup, 65 -year -old Dr. Sam McCall.
A man, the crew, and his fellow passengers were
to thank God. for the rest of their lives. For
Flight 113 was a jinxed ship doomed to a nightmare
that is shared by anyone who flies and against
which every precaution is taken so that it won't
come true. This is the story of the million to
one chance when it did and which began before
the Florida takeoff. This is flight 113, Transway's
airline, post K2. I'm ready to roll as soon as
you get me someone to hold my hand. He's on his
way right now from reserve. And what happened
to Dave? His father had a coronary. He's pretty
hairy, I guess, second time around. Dave took
off for the hospital like he was fired from a
gun. We're all checked out. I'll get back as
soon as Dave's relief gets here. Come. Hi, Freddy.
Well, what the Sam Hill is this? Just a moment,
Captain. That's our jolly little cargo 115 slap
-happy meat packers on their way home from the
convention. Oh brother Just be glad you don't
have to move among them. It's worse than being
in Rome I probably won't be able to sit down
for a week. I'll give him a blast on the horn
to tone them down Oh, no, they're all right.
I can handle them. Just wanted you to know we're
loaded and your relief copilot is on the way
Who'd I draw? Do you know? Look what you got.
Oh, Doug Fletcher, not you? Now I know we're
jinxed. Bits and stones will break my bones,
but a few breaths coming through that crowd out
there, and I'm already as high as a kite. Oh,
now come on, let's cut the comedy. We're ten
minutes late already. Fran, did Charlie check
you out on the manifesto? Yes, Captain. Is he
off the plane yet? We're all buttoned up. Okay.
I'll go get that bunch quieted down out there.
Hit the no smoke and seat belts. Right. Nice
to have you aboard. Let's earn our pay. This
is K -Flight 113 Transways, port K2 to ground
control. Request permission to start engines.
Do you have permission, Captain? Hit them, Doug.
Ready to roll, soon as we get the good word.
Go on in a second. Roger. Doug, where's G? Oh,
at home with the little woman. You? Mmm. And
Bibby's. I never can't pass up that chiffon pumpkin
pie. Hey, that's funny. You know I'm a way down,
huh? Still on the pipe, transways 113. Yeah,
waitin' a roll. Okay. You're clear to taxi to
runway 5, via Ovo. Roger. We still have CAVU
for the flight? As far as Kansas City. Ceiling
and visibility unlimited. Thanks. We're on our
way. Have a nice flight. We aim to please. With
the load we're carrying, we can't lose. Most
of them can make it under their own high. Otherwise,
it looks like a milk run all the way. A milk
run. The flight where nothing happens. Where
everything goes according to the book. And so
it did, as far as Kansas City. In spite of the
slightly raucous conventioneers who soon passed
out quietly, to be pulled off the plane gently
by the stewardesses two and a half hours later.
Waiting to take off again, Captain Thomas and
his co -pilot Ed Fletcher could have no slightest
suspicion that the second half of the flight
was to make disaster history. What are we waiting
for, Captain? Tower clearance. Anything wrong?
Nope. Something coming in, I guess. How's the
load? You could shoot deer back there. Let's
see. We have only 32 left. We didn't pick up
anyone here? Only one, a doctor. It's very handy
to have a board. Now what does that mean? Just
that we have a lady aboard, a married lady who's
very pregnant. Oh, I hope we don't pick up any
rough weather. Well, you knock it off, you two
Cassandras. Now let's get airborne before you
discourage me from the whole flight. This is
flight 113, Transways Airlines. I'm at number
one requesting permission for takeoff. Acknowledge
113, Transways. Be advised you are now cleared
for takeoff. Here goes nothing. We're on our
way. Fly happy, Captain. Only way to go. Thanks,
Kansas, and out. Any takers, Inez? Yes, but not
enough to get the drink cart out. Two scotches,
one better than a stinger for the lady in first.
We got that, a stinger? I'll take that one to
her personally, crabby old bitty. I can manage.
Oh, I'm going up on anyway, Inez. Maybe the boys
want some coffee. Shall I call them? No, I need
a little exercise. I want to check on our little
mother -to -be anyway. She's pretty near her
time, I think. Oh, not too, I hope. Ever been
a midwife? Of what? Did you ever deliver a baby?
Oh, no, not me. Either for myself or anyone.
I think I would freak out. That makes two of
us. I hope we don't have to find out. You sure
you feel all right, honey? Will you stop worrying
for a... Well, it's just maybe I... I'm worried
we shouldn't have done this. It's a little late
for that now. I didn't mean the baby. I mean,
flying to Seattle. It's still too late. Everything
okay with you two lovebirds? Sure. Everything's
just fine, sir. Make it grand. We're a small
enough group to be a family. Anything I can get
you? No thanks, Frank. How about you, Mr. Pierce?
Oh, no, no, no, no, I'm just fine. It's only
Jackie. The worry ward of the world about everything.
It's just his nature. Well, this time I really
have something to worry about. Well, not much
longer. Only about an hour and a half to Seattle.
I wouldn't want anyone to be embarrassed. Hold
on until then. Oh, Jackie. She's putting you
on. We brought a stopwatch so he can time the
pains when they start. But don't get me wrong.
I love him, but that's my exit cue. I've got
to deliver this drink to someone. Excuse me.
Dr. McCall, isn't it? What? Oh, oh, yes. I just
delivered a drink to your only companion, the
lady in the back. Is there anything I can get
for you? For me? No. No, there's... Fasten your
seat belt, doctor. It is fastened. Mind if I
sit beside you for a moment? No, not at all.
What is it? Freak storm. We weren't expecting
it, or the seat belt lights would have been up
before now. Are you feeling okay? Me? Oh, yes,
yes. Why? Well, it's just there, doctor. General
turbulence. We should be through it in a moment.
I just wanted to make sure you didn't feel sick.
Yeah, I feel sick, all right. But not from this.
Well, I'm sorry. What can I say? Nothing. What
can anyone say? Pete would have been 30 next
week. From my angle, that's where life begins.
But his ended. Pete? My son. First time I ever
flew first class in my life. Thanks to the Air
Force. They're flying Pete's body and the rest
of his crew back from Guam. That's where they
crashed. His mother is buried in Winochki, you
see, where I used to practice. I wanted him to
lie with her. I'm sorry. I misunderstood about
the way you were looking. That's all right. If
it weren't for the rest of your board, I'd just
soon cash in my chips right here. Well, it won't
be that bad. It's just a pee -wee squaw. We're
coming out of it. You can go on about your business
and forget me. I guess we did blow right through
it. Maybe I should get up and see if the captain
of the copilot wants to call me. You get traffic
control yet, Doug? I'm on my third frequency,
no response. Well, that devil idea. Couldn't
they have picked up what we just came through
on the radar? Search me. This flight 113, transways
to control tower. Do you read me? Negative. The
breaker's out? Ah, no, Captain. I checked. What
do you want, Fran? What happened? No warning
on the fireworks. Came out of nowhere. No advance
from control? Yeah, we can't dig them up. Now,
do you want anything? No, just as long as we're
off the bump, though. I thought you might like
some coffee. Yeah, heavy on the cream, easy on
the sugar. Doug? Nah, I skipped the coffee. I'm
feeling a little off my feet. Hold it. This is
flight 113, transways traffic control. Do you
read me? Anything serious, Doc? There will be.
We don't make contact. Oh, forget it. There are
so many backup systems beyond the regular frequencies.
Emergency, Army, Navy, Sea Rescue, relay through
another plane. No sweat, baby. Don't worry about
you. You don't look so hot. You should feel my
stomach. Look, bring me a cola with lots of ice,
huh? Wait a minute. We read you loud and clear.
Where the hell have you been? We've been trying
to raise you. Ah, ditto here. Now, where the
devil have you been? I'm on emergency backup
now, and we are 27 ,000 cruising speed 485 knots,
holding steady, heading 2 -9 -0. You didn't get
anything from us on the regular channels. Negative.
Well, we just came through a freak electrical
storm. Didn't you pick that up on radar? That's
why we were trying to reach you. It came in from
nowhere. It's a whole front by now. Now, maybe
that's what knocked the radio out. I was thinking
of turning back, but maybe I'm better off as
we go. What's up ahead? CAVU on present course.
A little storm to the north over the Rockies,
but you should bypass it. Yeah, we better. We've
got a pregnant lady aboard. I'd like to avoid
any more turbulence. Just in case, you want to
send us up top? Stand by till I clear you. Standing
by. Well, looks okay now, except for you, Doug.
What's the matter with me? You're a little green
around the gills. It's out home cooking, or did
a few buffs make you air safe. Oh, no, no, no.
I don't know what it is. I got the cold sweats.
C and double. It wasn't anything I got from Helen.
Maybe I should have bypassed Aunt Bebe's. What
do you mean, Aunt Bebe's? I was trying to tell
you before we took off at Florida. I couldn't
resist. Stopping off and having some chiffon
pumpkin pie for dessert. Damn it! That's what
I had. So, you're lucky. It wasn't too rich for
you. I... I don't know. I... I think I'm gonna
pass out. Oh, boy. Fran. Yes, Captain. Fran,
I hate to lay this on you. But I've been having
the symptoms Doug's complaining about. Good Lord,
Captain. Oh, this is crazy. It can't be happening.
Just couldn't be. Well, you'd better get back
and bring that doctor up here. I feel like I
can hardly move. Look at Doug. He's out. Your
doc friend better be for real and get one of
us. Operate? There's gonna be nobody left to
land this, Pete. I'll get him right away. Hello.
Flight 113 transways to traffic control. You
read me. Damn. Flight 113 to traffic control.
Oh, you read me. Read me. Every transceiver can't
be out. Flight 113 transways read... May Day.
May Day. May Day. May Day. The final and ultimate
cry for help when an aircraft is disabled or
out of control. The last word air traffic control
ever wants to hear. For once that dread alert
is sounded. everything moves with controlled
pandemonium. I'll return shortly with Act 2.
In the air, secure on automatic pilot, the big
DC -9 is a symbol of man's ability to conquer
a hostile medium, to make it his own. as safely
and sure as any bird. Inside this big bird, from
the cockpit aft, the passengers have no notion
of what lies ahead, as yet. But on the ground,
if the mayday alert has gotten through, control
tower will be in charge, his voice calm but precise,
but underlying it, the ragged edge of knowledge
he shares with every pilot who receives. That
man may conquer the elements, but never wholly
subdue them. Excuse me, Dr. McCall. Oh. Oh, oh,
yes, Doris. I'm sitting down beside you because
I have no wish to alarm the rest of the plane.
You are a medical doctor, aren't you? Uh, if
I'm not, I've kept up the pretense successfully
for more years than I'd care to say. Do you have
a doctor's bag with you by any chance? Yes. I
don't know why. The force of habit. Why do you
ask? There's some trouble in the cockpit. The
pilot and the co -pilot seem to be in some sort
of, well, have some sort of food poisoning. Could
we just walk up there casually? We better get
there fast. Not too fast. There's a lady watching
us who is, well, volatile for want of a better
word. I don't want to get the rest of the plane
alarmed. I'll tell you what. I left the cabin
door open. I'll keep her busy while you go forward.
Whatever you say, my dear. Are they conscious?
I don't know. The captain was when I left. Don't
worry. The plane's on automatic pilot. Well,
Mrs. Miller, did you enjoy your stinger? Perhaps
you'd like a repeat? The scene in the control
room of the plane is enough to turn anyone's
blood to water. In the co -pilot seat, Doug Fletcher
is half slumped to the floor, out cold. In the
pilot seat to the left, Captain Thomas is valiantly
trying to fight off his blackout, but only half
conscious himself. I'm a doctor, Captain. What's
the trouble? Oh, pain in my stomach. I want to
throw up, but I can't. See, Devil, I can't keep
my eyelids from closing. Let's have a look. Same
with your co -pilot? Yeah. Did you eat together
before you left on this flight? No, but... Both
have the same pie in Miami. A place called Aunt
Vivi's. Pumpkin chiffon. That doesn't sound so
lethal. Oh, I'm afraid. I'm afraid. How are they,
Doctor? What's your name again? Fran. Okay, Fran.
I got to make a snap diagnosis on damn little
information. Looks like we have a couple of cases
of botulism. What's that? That's the kind of
food poisoning that affects the nervous system.
Both of them are in coma. And there's some toxins
that might be helpful, but I don't have them
in my bag. Best we're gonna do is get plenty
of cold towels and hope that we can bring one
of them out of it. And if we don't? We are in
real trouble. Any idea of our ETA? About midnight
Seattle time. That's about... An hour and a half?
Just about. Well, first thing is to try to save
these boys. Can you call back on the intercom
to one of the other hostesses and get some ice
and plenty of towels? Yes, sir. First, help me
move the captain onto the floor. This is Inez.
What you want, control. Deep breath, hon. You
sound like it's bad enough news for me to pass
clear out. It isn't good, but I'm counting on
you. You put it that way, Fran. You can count.
We have mucho trouble up front, but we don't
want to get the passengers panicked. Sure, but,
uh, Keir, what goes? We need all the ice and
towels we can get up front. Use the drink cart
as a cover and come through as fast as you can.
Muy bien, querida. Leave it to Ines. Are you
all right, baby? I'm fine. Why, Fred? I don't
know. You seem to be sort of squirming around.
That isn't me. It's your first boy. Here comes
a hostess with a card now. You want some milk
or something? Your sun and air may be active,
but he's not quite ready for that yet. What?
What? Milk. I don't know, Jackie. I get the notion
you're working me over. Maybe we shouldn't have
taken this trip. Why not? Because you resent
it. I just thought, you know, a first baby and
all, you'd be safer in Seattle with Mom and then
all alone in Kansas City. I wasn't exactly alone
there. Well, you didn't have any kinfolk to help
out. Did it ever occur to you, I'd just like
to have my baby by myself? Oh, it's my baby too.
Sure it is. You've just got to excuse us uptight
females at the end of the pregnancy route. We
forget it's anything but just us and Junior.
You're the only two to count. And you first.
Cheer up, honey. Everything's going to be all
right. I was thinking about something cold to
drink, but we missed the boat. Or I should say,
cart. Inez is already all the way through to
first class. Look, I could go and get us... No,
no, no. It doesn't matter. So, catch her on the
way back. Who is it? Inez with the towels and
ice. Just a minute. Let me in quick. Big nose
there is smelling trouble. Who? The lady with
the stingers. She doesn't matter. Help me and
the doctor get some cold towels on the captain
and Doug. They are fast out. I hope that's all.
Then who is flying the plane? That's a good question.
It's no use, girls. They're in deep coma. Can't
you bring them out of it? I doubt it. Can we
get them hospitalized? If then. They're not going
to die. From food poisoning? Botulism? That may
be academic, though, unless we figure out somewhere
to land this plane. Either of you pilots? No.
Not me. Are we deadheading any back there? No.
Jet manifest? Right here. None of our pilots.
Anyone on the list who flies? I doubt it. Oh.
So that leaves me. You're a pilot? Eh, no matter
speaking. Before my wife died, when we lived
in Winochki, I used to share a beat up old Cherokee
one prop plane with another doctor. Only way
to get to patients in outlying areas. I guess
that's what got Pete all strung out on a flying.
Ah, that was small potatoes. It's over six years
since I touched the controls. What can I do with
this? Somebody's got to do something. Not only
to save the captain and Doug Flies, but 34 more
of us, including you. Well, what have we got
to lose? You keep those coal towels on the captain
on the floor. I'll leave the co -pilot in his
seat to save room. Oh, this maze. Like a forest
primeval. All right, give me the headphones.
Now where is radio in this mess? Right here,
doctor. But they were having trouble with the
regular frequencies. What's it set on now? I
don't know. Army, air rescue, emergency maybe.
So, let's see what we can raise. Hello? Hello,
anyone? Can you call me? Can you hear me? We
are receiving. Identify yourself, please. Oh,
sure. This is Dr. Sam McCall. We are awaiting
identification. I just told you this is... I
guess I have to remember to press down the button
on the wheel for you to hear me, huh? We can
hear your reply. What did you say? Wait a minute.
What did you say? Let go of the button. To explain
to you that to receive us, you must release the
red button on the wheel. And to transmit, you
must press it down. Over to you. I get it. Then
will you identify? Sure. I'm Dr. Sam McCall.
Pete McCall's father? You know my son? Very well.
But that doesn't matter for the moment. Will
you identify your aircraft? Oh, yes. This is
Flight... What's the number? 113 Transways Airlines.
Arnaz, you hang in here. I'm going back to check
the passengers. Flight 113... Transways Airlines.
Oh, yes. You're the Mayday. That's us, brother.
Well, can you give us your position? I can try,
but with this maze of instruments, I'm not familiar
with them. Where are your pilots? Both in a coma.
Botulism poisoning. Any chance they'll be out
of it within the next hour and a half? Hard to
tell. I'd say kind of doubtful. They both were
hit so bad, it's a toss -up whether they can
hold out against respiratory paralysis. And there's
no other qualified commercial pilot aboard? That's
right. The only guy who ever flew anything is
me. And then it was just a little old one long
Cherokee prop you flew by the seat of your pants.
And if you can fly a Cherokee, you can fly a
DC -9. You're gonna have to teach me, brother.
And I sure hope you can in the next hour and
a half. Because if you don't tell me how to bring
her down, I guess we're just gonna... head out
over the Pacific till we run out of gas and cop
into the sea. A situation to challenge the worst
nightmare you ever dreamed. Behind him are over
30 people depending on him for their lives. Facing
him is a mass of instruments, dials, switches,
buttons and levers, most of them unfamiliar to
him. which control the 100 plus tons of airplane
that he must put down on the ground safely within
a short span of 90 minutes. I shall return as
soon as I can with act three. He sits in the
cockpit of a four -engine jet monster 31 ,000
feet above the ground, alone. A 65 -year -old
man who joined this flight with nothing but death
on his mind. Dr. Sam McCall, widower, now flying
to pick up the coffin and the body of his pilot
son who died tragically in a crash on Guam. Now
suddenly, by a massive wrench of fate, He is
thrown back into the stream of life because he
is the only person aboard who can fly this plane.
And landing it safely depends on the quiet voice
in his headphones. Now, did you locate the altimeter?
Yeah, I have it. What does it read? Thirty ten.
Good, good. Now you're at thirty one thousand.
And that is your altitude until further instructions.
Look at the instrument panel. I hate to. It scares
the hell out of me. There's the bank and turn
indicator. And this looks like it could be the
airspeed indicator. So just take it easy, Doc.
You've got this thing licked. You know enough
about it. Okay, Doc? Confirm. Hey, I like the
Doc part, too. Something about having a name
makes me feel more at home. Do I get one for
you? Affirmative. This is Colonel Blake. Okay.
Colonel, we'll use our titles. Now, how do I
fly this crate? That's a breeze, Doc. Now, just
look down and you'll see the rudder pedals. Put
your feet on them. Now, look for your airspeed
indicator and get familiar with it. That's the
one left of the two circles dead ahead. Yeah,
I got it. And above that is your climb and dive
indicator. I see it. Now, directly to your right.
are stabilizer and trim levers. Now, you come
to your throttles. They should be set at cruising
speed. What is your airspeed indicator read?
485. Roger. That's right where she should be.
Now the pedestal, those are the yellow throttles.
The forward increases your speed. Check? Check.
A back decreases, right? Right, right. But they
must be... Be coordinated and gentle. Now, do
you locate the automatic pilot switch? It's up
there on the console. Over your head, to the
right slightly. Yeah, I have it, Cuddle. Now,
you are ready to fly the plane, Doc. I hope.
No sweat. You've flown before. This baby's just
a little bit bigger. Now, hands on the wheel,
feet on the rudders. What a difference I can
feel every ton of it sluggish heavy Sure, sure
she feels different from a Cherokee, but remember,
Doc, all controls are on servomechanism. They
react, you know, from the slightest touch to
like power controls in a car. So we're gonna
let you feel that out. Very, very gently, we're
gonna have you descend a little. Okay, Doc? You're
the boss, Colonel. Just till you take over. So,
grip the four knobs in the center. We're gonna
ease up on the throttle. Not so fast. Easy. Ease
it off. You notice it's getting quiet. Now, easy.
Push forward, slowly on the wheel. Boy, she responds
quick. Pull back. Pull back. Now, ease forward
again. You notice she's going quiet? Yeah. I
don't like it. That's the way she goes. She's
getting away from me. Took her right out of my
hand. Slow up. But slow. Yeah, I am, but she's
bucking like a steed. You're over -correcting.
Easy, easy does it. Remember, Doc, it's just
a touch. The servomechanism does all the rest.
Now, bring your nose down. Wilco. That's a comforting
old word. It's all scary. Real scary. I don't
know if I can make it. You can cut it, Doc. We're
going to try banking left and right a little,
just so you have the plane well in hand. What
is it, Jackie, baby? It's the baby. I'm afraid.
Yes, it's so near. The pains are almost every
minute. Oh, Lord. What are we going to do? I'll
try to hold on. Honest, I will, but... Stewardess,
friend, it's Jackie, my wife. She's having the
baby. Here, help me get these seat backs down
in front. Stretch her out. I'll get blankets.
Inaz? Yes, friend. Get up to the cockpit and
tell doctor Mrs. Pierce's baby is coming. I'll
do my best to handle it. I'll try not to bother
him, but I might have to call for instructions
on the intercom. Sure, sir. Sure. So get going.
Ladies and gentlemen... Listen to me, please.
There is no reason for panic. The plane is in
good hands. I want to get all of us as far back
towards the tail as we can. Everyone find their
life jackets. I inflate them as instructed when
we were taking off. We have a lady who is about
to deliver her child. I'm asking you to the rear
as much for her privacy as for any other reason.
We are all going to be alright. If the good Lord
grants us a new somebody into the world, he sure
doesn't plan to take all the rest of us out of
it. Excuse me, doctor. How's it going? Not so
bad now. Back on automatic. Taking a little rest.
How's everything back there? Oh, not bad. Not
good. I mean... Frank, she asked me to tell you
she's handling it, but she might have to call
by the intercom in case because there's a lady
having a baby. Oh, that's nice. I'll try to set
it down easy as I can. What does it do? I don't
know exactly when, but it's on the way right
now. In the midst of death, we are in life. Or
is it the other way around? Does Fran know what
to do? I don't know. She said she would do her
best, but... What's that? Intercom. You can throw
this switch here. Oh. Hello? Hello, doctor. It's
Fran. Everything okay up there? For the moment.
I'm sorry to bother you, but I have a problem.
The lady who's giving birth? Yes. The baby is
coming, but it's positioned the wrong way. Breach
birth. Look, you can't handle that. I tell you
what. We have an odd 25 minutes to play around
with. To hold everything, I'll be right back.
Flight 113 to control. I am receiving you. Well,
how much time do I have before we start descent
approach? 25, 30 minutes. All right, then hang
on till I get back to you. Before I try to land
this plane, I got to do something I really know
about. I've got to go deliver a baby. This is
flight 113 of my term. to control we have you
doc how's the baby a fine boy kind of makes up
a little for my own how do we stand you're ready
to get off automatic and commence descent at
485 knots you should be coming down at 1500 feet
per minute roger i'm now commencing descent very
good now hold that descent rate to 1800 feet
Funny thing, Colonel. What's that, Doc? I just
accomplished something very difficult. Bringing
one life into the world. I hope I'm as successful
in keeping 37 lives protected. They're already
here. We're now coming in on your final approach.
The descent is fine. How do you feel? Oh, I'm
okay. Going a little fast. Okay. All right. Now,
we lower the wheels. You remember the exercise?
Affirm. Pull out rear lever and push down. Watch
for three green lights indicating wheels down.
I have the green. Okay, the landing gear is down.
We have you in sight. Now give her some throttle
as the gear slows you down. I feel the drag.
degrees of flaps at it. Confirmed. Roger. Hold
it there. Maintain airspeed at 127. Maintaining
speed. You're doing fine. Keep your feet on the
pedals. Keep her nice and level. Can you see
the runway? I see it. Alright, alright. Yeah,
it's dropped 10, 20. That's all right. You know
you're slowing up. And you're in, so get your
brakes and drop your nose. Confirm. Hold your
rudder. Hold your attitude. Keep that yoke back.
That hard back. Keep that yoke back. Push hard
on those brakes, Doc. Push hard. Should I reverse
engine? No, no. Steady on the rudder pedals.
And in the operations office of the airport,
the hero of the hour has been sequestered in
blessed relief from all the hoopla and excitement
by the airport director. Anything I can get you?
A drink or something, doctor? A bed, mainly.
First, though, I've got some thank yous to dispense.
Was it you who talked me down? I don't understand.
Was somebody on ground communications landed
that big crate without damage? Not me. Who was
on the horn with me all the way in? Well, nobody.
What do you mean, nobody? I was talking to myself?
All I mean is that out of Kansas City, everyone
lost contact with Flight 113. As far as we're
concerned, on the ground, only one man set her
down, Dr. Sam McCall. Yeah, but that's crazy.
Colonel Blake was the one who monitored every
move I made. If it wasn't for him... Me and everyone
aboard, including the new young man, would have
been gone geese. I couldn't have landed that
skyscraper by myself. You see, you were in radio
contact all the way? Sure, with Colonel Blake.
Colonel Jackson Blake? I never did get his first
name. Well, why? You know him? No, not personally,
but... Well, he was the pilot of the plane and...
which your son crashed and all personnel were
lost. He said he knew my son Pete. You're trying
to say he was dead all the time? Well, the only
thing I know is that right beside your son Pete's
coffin is one that contains a Colonel Blake.
And your radio was out cold when no one else
could have talked you down. What can you add
to that? An elderly man who hadn't touched a
plane control in six years and then only a single
engine landed several tons of modern multi -engine
jet by himself in radio silence. Or was there
some other force beyond that which brought him
home? You make up your minds. I'll be back shortly.
I won't vouch for the story you just heard. It's
part and parcel of many legends. There was a
whole crew who got poisoned eating key lime pie.
There is a story of the radio operator of a sunken
aircraft carrier who talked a plane home. Tale
of a dead son who brought his father down and
so on and so on. All we ask on this program is
not belief, just suspension of disbelief. Our
cast included Robert Dryden, Jennifer Harmon,
Earl Hammond, Richard Seth, and Hetty Galen.
The entire production was under the direction
of Hyman Brown. This is E .G. Marshall inviting
you to return to our mystery theater for another
adventure in the macabre. Until next time, pleasant
dreams. My name's Bill Garrity. Have a good night
tonight and a better day tomorrow. Have a good
weekend. See you Monday morning. KOIN in Portland.
It's 12 midnight.