B 25 Engine Failure Emergency in Las Vegas 

I was a controller and an ATC supervisor in a career spanning 29 years. I can tell you that this controller required at a minimum, remedial training (emergency procedures are an annual training requirement). Also, LAS ATC management should have contacted you afterwards acknowledging that you should NOT have been subjected to the rude actions of the controller and that actions were taken to prevent similar incidents from re-occurring. A mandatory briefing to all ATC personnel about this incident should have been required. Sadly, I am embarrassed at the controller's actions.

When a controller is arguing with a plane in an emergency.... that controller should NEVER be allowed to do that job ever again. The way I see it, when a plane says they are in an emergency and can safely land at a given airport, the controller should make sure it happens. The plane should not be forced to fly over populated areas to a runway that requires climbing in a plane with a dead engine. Those 10 people and the crew, plus the lives on the ground, absolutely COME FIRST! It is great that you were able to land safely!

As a professional pilot of more than 45 years, I can state unequivocally that as Pilot In Command (PIC), once you declare an emergency, NO Air Traffic Controller (ATC) has the authority to tell you where you cannot land. ATC can get as mad as they want, but their job is to assist you, and get you and your passengers on the ground safe and in one piece, not the other way around.

I have declared an emergency only once in my life, and "Boy am I Glad I Wasn't Talking To Your Controller!!!" I, on the other hand, was treated like I was the only airplane in the sky, anything I needed was mine. After the ordeal, I looked up the controller and personally thanked him for helping me through this touchy situation. So sorry you were mishandled and mistreated.

Glad you told this story-it's been increasingly evident that ATC's tend to forget that as soon as a pilot declares an emergency,THEY are no longer in control-THEIR only job becomes to do whatever they can to help the pilot bring the plane in safely. Maybe there should be a review every six months where they get a stern REMINDER of this. Thanks again for a VERY good video.

Pilot to controller - "You're flying a chair. I'm flying a 26,000 pound airplane with an engine out. We're going to do this MY way."

Pilot - I am declaring an emergency. GET EVERYBODY OUT OF MY WAY WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT. ATC - Well, crap. This is an inconvenience.

Nice job, skipper. ATC often forgets they are there to serve. We can't have the tail wagging the dog. In an emergency, the PIC TELLS the controller what he is going to do. You don't ask, you don't need permission or a clearance. ATC's job is to get everyone else out of your way and provide whatever assistance you need. Don't let anyone dilute your Captain's authority.

In a declared emergency, the pilot in command is the boss. No questions. The controller needs a write up at the very least. A review of the rules could also be required. Good story.

When a controller becomes unhelpful during an emergency, time to turn the radio off or contact tower directly and "TELL" them what you''re doing....completely unacceptable. Too many pilots allow ATC to fly their aircraft these days. Excellent job.

As a retired atp pilot and a retired air traffic controller of 22 years, that controller should have lost his job for that . I would have not been nice and told him I'm landing at your airport. He obviously doesn't know what an emergency is.

An aviator since 1978 and have never heard ATC tell an emergency aircraft that they cannot land at their airport. I wish someone could post the audio of that event. Imagine being the controller who denied a pilot a place to land and being responsible for the loss of a B-25 with 12 souls onboard. Had I been the PIC, I would have certainly had a chat with this individual. (and his superiors)

I'll remember that line, "My problem is greater than yours." 😎

Great Job! One lesson pilots need to learn is the controller works for you when you declare a emergency. And if you have a potential issue bring them in the loop ASAP so you can use all available resources.

Excellent video. Thanks for taking the time to film and edit it and of course for positing it for our benefit. Keep up the good work! -Migs

Seven thumbs down votes... Looks like the controller and six of his friends have watched this video.

Am a retired USAF navigator and civilian pilot. You did the right thing. The controller was behaving in an incompetent manner. Your job was to save the passengers lives and the airplane. You did that. Nice work. The controller needs remedial training.

Thank you for the detailed story on the events of the B-25 engine incident. I worked at McCarran for almost 16 years, and I hated talking to those guys in the tower. With the exception of one guy on nights that was cool, the rest came across as arrogant and rude. I'm glad that you set them straight as far as what PIC means. I appreciate your experience and training; sorry that we haven't met, you seem humble, mater-of-fact and drama free.

Thanks for being man enough to do the right thing and not be bullied by an idiot controller. You saved lives that day sir.

I totally agree with the comment from the other ATC Controller/Supervisor! I am also a retired Controller and Supervisor for over 30 years. The controller is required to provide any emergency aircraft with any request. Initially to require you to remain clear of the Class B was totally wrong. Your altitude is precious energy you should be allowed to preserve. Altitude should have been at your discretion. Whatever you needed should have been provided. Even if it meant shutting off LAS traffic! Where was the Supervisor overseeing this emergency??? The controller TOTALLY mishandled this event. He should have received remedial training regarding emergencies. One of the first things is ask pilots request, and do whatever they need! If I was the pilot I would have immediately called the facility as soon as I landed and raised hell! Pilots in an emergency need to clearly stare to the controller what they need, period! Never let a controller badger you into a bad situation. Glad you handled this unfortunate situation so well.

Interesting how this generation of ATC has a militias attitude of “Its all about me!” I’m a retired B737 Captain and I always told my FO’s “Don’t let the monkeys run the banana boat.” Sometimes the controllers forget that they are the monkey and you’re the Captain and it is necessary to remind them who is in charge.

The following three words will help any Air Traffic Controller (whether a native English speaker or not) grasp the gravity of an emergency situation: “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday”.

thanks for saving such an awesome rare warbird.

I’m a relatively new pilot but as part of my training we toured and interviewed the local ATC facility. They told us over and over when in doubt- declare an emergency (your lost, IMC. Engine rough or failure)and tell us what you want or need. Your doing so allows us to do things on your behalf that we can’t do otherwise. It never occurred to me that ATC would push back on me when requesting help so I’m glad for this story as that would have completely befuddled me (at a time when you need help most).

First, you handled this well and stood the ground you had exclusive right to after declaring an emergency. Second, this is a great training opportunity for pilots and controllers alike. I was an ATC at LA Center and SoCal TRACON for 27 years. Air Traffic Controllers have a Joint Order 7110.65 called imaginatively enough, "Air Traffic Control". It is the controller's bible. The FAR cite you use was perfect, but there is a corresponding requirement in the 7110.65 at para. 2-1-4a that makes you THE number one priority in an emergency: "An aircraft in distress has the right of way over all other air traffic". To show the importance of that, Presidential/Vice Presidential aircraft are listed under "c" in the priority. I hope this controller wouldn't tell Air Force One, "Not today" if that priority c pilot wanted to land at a different airport. I can't make clicky's here, but it is JO 7110.65Y.

Fantastic outcome! You saved that B-25 and all souls aboard. Consummate Professional.

As a former controller and pilot you are correct. My job in that situation would be to clear airspace and traffic for you and comply with any requests you make after you had declared the emergency.

We often hear about pilots hesitant to declare an emergency, so it is startling in this example to hear ATC adding to your problems, rather than helping you solve them. Loads of good learning points here for all pilots, great video.

Excellent analogy giving PIC the authority to execute a safe landing knowing that particular FAR 91.123d has your backside covered.

Good lesson, thanks Scott. I'm in the UK and I was taught to say "Unable" if a controller wanted me to do something I couldn't, even in a non-emergency situation. I've only ever had to say it once...

Well done Scott. Once you declared an emergency, if you violate any FAR there is no violation. You are allowed to do whatever you feel is best to save your plane. Declaring an emergency means you are operating in a non normal event. Always declare an emergency when any thing is wrong, even if it is a sick passenger that needs to get on the ground. Well done. Bravo Zulu.

P.s. You should have been cleared to land any runway. he was more worried about keeping airline flights from going around. Tough luck. great video.

Thanks for sharing. I had a VERY similar situation with a Vegas approach controller back around 2014 when I lost a motor in a Lancair north of Vegas around 15K...I declared an emergency, and got the power to the motor back after quite some time. I told them I was going to return to North Vegas. They told me to descend and maintain 9000. I immediately told him, NEGATIVE, that I'd tell you when I'm starting my descent, I'm direct to KVGT on a 1 to 1 glide ratio and I'm squawking 7700. He immediately changed his behavior into "how can I help?" Probably not the same controller... ;) Thanks for sharing your experience and glad you got everyone safely on the ground!

This controller is one of the reasons GA pilots don't declare emergency when they should and probably put themselves in extreme harm.

Hard to argue with success. You brought the bird and all aboard home safe and sound.

The fact that an ATC would argue with the PIC during a DECLARED emergency is outrageous and bordering on criminal. The controller could have cost the lives of a dozen people simply because he felt he was justified in his actions. Thank God you knew your rules and didn't give a crap about hurting this simpletons feelings. While no longer fly I thoroughly enjoy watching your videos! Carry on sir!

My dad trained to fly the B-25 at Garner Field, Uvalde, Tx. The war ended before he got sent overseas, but it was one of the proudest achievements of his life to fly one of these. I've always thought it to be one of the most beautiful of all the WWII bombers.Thanks for a great video and bringing back to mind some of the stories my dad would tell about this plane.

Great job on that single engine...right on also on Pilot in Command duties vs Ground Controller. Flew for 29 Years in the Service and had numerous emergencies too, did exactly what you did on these occasions and it worked out just fine because the flying part is done by the Pilot not someone on the ground. Great video!

As a retired GA pleasure pilot I was truly shocked to hear about a controller telling a pilot (in a declared emergency) no, my opinion overrides your judgment about your emergency. That controller is lucky - a man of your knowledge and skill was able to safely put that 80+ year old flying museum on the ground. Your story brings back a memory of a flight I took with my lawyer and his wife in1982. My lawyer had recently purchased a 210 we intended to fly from Oakdale CA to Boston. (over a few days). We had to declare an emergency over Pittsburg. The flight controller offered us every asset he had. It was reassuring to experience a large international airport stop all other flight activity (for about 15 minutes). We were soon happily and safely on the ground. Trailing about 25 to 30 ! emergency vehicles. We felt the FAA put its arms around us. This was less than a year after the PATCO strike.

Great job, Pilot in Command! No human suffering and loss of life!! No loss of another rare WWII Plane !The Air Traffic Controller had an attitude just like a Bureaucrat!

Any landing you can walk away from is a good one. It's the paperwork you can't walk away from. Well done for sticking to your plan. A whole new world once you sit upfront.

I loved this and was gobsmacked by the attitude of the controller. Thanks for emphasizing the importance of being in command and the responsibility given to the pilot in an emergency. ❤️👍

Tell that ATC that if you complied with his instructions he would have an awful lot of paperwork to do, and you are following the prime directive to save the AGENCY from catching and piling a lot of grief on his, their, (and your) heads. "I'm going to McCarran, and ... you will be glad I did."

Glad you didn't let that controller bully you into killing a bunch of people! If you have an emergency it is the controller's job to help clear a path for you. Fortunately, most controllers are pretty damn good about these things.

Any declared emergency I’ve heard on NYC Tracon the controllers first statement is always “Ok, What do need?” then “And when you have a chance relay fuel and souls on board”

Speaking from a career at sea I can tell ya there would have been a come to Jesus meeting if someone told me no after declaring mayday or pan. That is absolutely ridiculous and I am happy you are still with us to tell the story as well.

I'm amazed at the controller's behavior, as if he'd never been trained on emergencies. Unfortunately, there are pilots out there without the confidence and experience to assert PIC authority in a situation like that. I'm glad that you, rather than one of them, was in the left seat.

30 years, retired ... IFR, MEL, ag certificated, thousand plus in warbirds, and simply too many, far too many, tales involving ATC and administrative personnel, similar to this unbelievable story. That 140+ VMC in the -25 was always in the back of my mind. At 80+ now, good thing I wasn't in the left seat that day ... I've grown really cantankerous in my old age! Many comments regarding this flight, your actions ... save to say, you HAVE to make your decisions ... and yep ... YOU, PIC, are in command in an emergency. Period. NOT some ground pounder. Really detailed, very properly justified flight decisions, very impressive thinking and real-time flight analysis ... outstanding flight discipline. Good for you ... Good show!

Excellent. I was an Air Force Flight Safety Officer at the Wing for several years and I love these stories. Good job!

Great Video, Scott. Thank you for sharing. Hard to believe that the controller gave you such a hard time. Someone needs to free up his future. I just added a P-Baron to my hanger alongside my E33, so single-engine emergencies are foremost on my mind. I hope that I will be as proficient as you should I lose an engine one day.

My first civilian instructor who was a B-24 instructor taught me a couple of things “ when an asymmetric thrust exists don’t hang out anything you don’t need till you need it” and “ you can stall at any airspeed but you can’t s tall at 0 G”.

Well done Scott. Exactly right--regarding "Pilot in command"! I (as PNF) had a short "discussion" with a tower controller at ORD when we had an engine failure on take off (at night & in weather). Our difference was that we did not declare an emergency (three engine airplane) but were ready to if the supervisor had not come on the radio & given us 27R (as we wanted) for our DC-10. IN any emergency you must be ready to use the authority afforded in the regulations. More important is to do what is necessary to minimize risk to people in the airplane & on the ground. Well done! (We exploded a 13th stage turbine wheel & get went off the gauge over 1010c.) The F/E looked around for the instructor as we were going through the checklists.

Excellent story. Angers me to hear of this ATC. What part of Emergency, 11 lives on board, only one engine was he having trouble wrapping his brain around? I would have landed that B-25 on his head. He should have been immediately let go. Thank God there are still a few people around who are capable of critical thinking. Glad to know you and all passengers survived, not to mention the B-25.

This reminds me of an exchange between Maj. Boyington and an air controller on Espritos Marcos in the Black Sheep Squadron episode "Prisoners of War." Boyington is flying to Espritos to deliver to General Moore a device removed from a downed Japanese Zero. Boyington: "This is Black Sheep One to Mother Hen..." Controller: "What do you want, Boyington?" Boyington: "I'd like a baked potato, tossed salad, steak medium rare... and a place to roost." Controller: "Uhh yeah, we're pretty busy right now; I don't see any clearance for ya." Boyington: "Well, I'd like to take my business elsewhere, but I gotta put this bird down; Now where do ya want it?"

I would have been pissed at that controller, but would have done exactly what you did. Had a throttle cable failure in a Cherokee 140 and immediately declared an emergency. ATC was really helpful.

The story helps me understand why so many B-25’s in my dad’s group failed to return to base after they had single engine failures (mechanical/combat). It was rare for one with a singe engine to return and when it did it usually was accomplished by a seasoned flyer (Captain+).

Immaculate professionalism was employed by you in this case. Thank you Scott!

Bravo Zulu! Pilot IN COMMAND is exactly what it says! Not only saving the lives of passengers, but saving one of the most beautiful twins ever made!

You did the right thing. You landed the plane and saved lives. Kudos. I'm not a pilot but I'd fly with you anytime.

I have been in aviation for almost 50 years now, with twenty years as a Transport Canada inspector, and this one really cranked me up. That controller should have been fired on the spot. Great video which I'm going to recommend to our local training establishments. I have always told my students that when you declare an emergency the sky is yours. Hopefully that is still ok....

Great and very informative video. Thank you. You were in the right to request entry into that airspace to ensure safe landing of that aircraft. And certainly not your fault that the air traffic controller evidently bore lack of imperative situational awareness to your situation. He’s not the one attempting to keep the airplane airborne long enough to reach an airport for safe landing. He also needed to take into consideration that heavier airplanes such as the B-25 usually require longer landing distances; and that McCarren was a more practical option than North Las Vegas. I’m sorry you to experience that.

Congratulations to you Scott for successively getting that beautiful warbird and ten lives down safely! That controller can kiss my backside.

Have to tell you, much respect. Only about TWO minutes into the video. My "first" real job flying Part 135 was in Las Vegas with Scenic Airlines. They hired me at 22 years old (I had my ATP, then, under an FAA exemption that no longer exists...the "23-year-old" minimum requirement for an ATP. Because of my time and passing the ATP check-ride (in 1979) I was "grandfathered". LONG story? I few for Scenic Airlines (Cessna 402s and 404s) conducting Grand Canyon tours. Eventually I moved on to the Commuters...and then subsequently to a Major U.S. Airline. I am now retired.

In 20 years as a Facility Watch Supervisor and FAA examiner for Air Traffic Controllers, I have never heard of a controller refusing a pilot's emergency request. While I was in the Navy I personally supervised emergency recoveries of civilian aircraft at Military Facilities. This was absolutely inexcusable on the part of the controller.

Thank you! Well done! The PIC that declares an emergency has priority over the controller. I needed confirmation of that! Your handling of that situation is a great example to all. Thank you for the video.

Love all of videos but this one he most. Not the first time I have heard of a controller's ill response to a pilot in a emergency situation. 99.9 are great and will go out of their way to assist you any way they can but there is always one bad apple that just doesn't get it. He needed to told to re train and understand that when a PIC declares an emergency he is now the boss and can do whatever is necessary for the safety of the flight,

One of the first lessonons I learned when I started flying. Fly the dang plane all the way to the ground. If you declare an EMERGENCY the sky and runways are yours to get down safely.

Scott , I had the pleasure to meet , Bob Hoover and Pappy Boyingon on his wheelchair at Torrance Airport in Los Angeles .

Man, I had pretty much only great experiences with US ATC, and along with UK's, I'd say is the best one I've talked to among the dozens of countries I've landed or have overflown. It is really surprising to see this kind of attitude from him. Can we ask him to write down a phone number too? PS: what a precious piece of historic video right there!

Great recollection of how well you handled the emergency. I'm puzzled as to what possible legitimate reason could the stubborn ATC have, to insist on you going to HIS airport of choice. Was it simply: 'I said so !' If that's the case, hopefully he was reprimanded.

I’m not a pilot, only an enthusiast, but the behavior of that ATC was mind boggling. What part of “declaring an emergency” didn’t he get? Good Lord.

Excellent as usual. I lost an engine on a B737 when flying between LAS and PHX. Essentially this was a non-event because we were approaching top of descent and on a short hop we were below our single engine service ceiling.. We declared an emergency with ATC as per SOP. The passengers and cabin crew were notified of the situation, but otherwise would not have been aware that one engine had been shut down. During the descent, approach control started to vector us around to sequence us behind other approaching aircraft. I had to remind them that we were an "emergency" aircraft" and required priority handling. The B737 actually flies great on one engine, much better in real life than in the sim, but the engine shutdown was due to loss of oil quantity, and as with the Eastern L1011 incident where the oil drain plugs were not properly installed, one cannot take a chance on 140 plus lives. The approach, landing, and roll out were uneventful. We had requested the emergency equipment to be standing by, so after landing we had them inspect the engine, confirmed there were no visible issues so we taxied to the gate.

Nice video. I am a ground bound person who has sat in the left seat once. I so enjoy listening to pilots talk about there experiences .

I sincerely hope that approach controller at least had to go for retraining. That kind of crap can get less experienced pilots killed, along with their passengers and potentially people on the ground...

After listening to your video, this comes to mind; "Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely". I have seen such abuse of power when I was in the military, and the same applies to many who work for the government. That controller appears to have had an ego that wouldn't listen to your situation. I applaud you determination to save your aircraft and the lives aboard.

As a retired military controller, handling aircraft in emergency was very common and actually quite routine. The aircraft has absolute priority no question about it. It does get a bit more complicated when you have more than one emergency on at the same time, but that's when you earn your pay and allocate priorities the best you can.

God bless you sir and what you do. As u can tell from my profile pic, I am a huge 'Doc' fan. My grandma riveted his skin. I even live under a downwind approach at Eisenhower. We Wichitans like our planes. Keep the history alive, boys!!!

Scott, thank you for what is truly the definition of a "teachable moment" and a demonstration of the respect and deference that MUST be afforded to the pilot in command during a declared emergency. Only you can know what you are dealing with, and once you've declared that emergency you have enough on your plate without having to explain your decision making process to ATC beyond simply stating "unable to comply." Frankly, it is the controller who should be trying to explain why he did not, initially, accommodate you and move other airplanes out of your way. BTW, did you ever discover the cause of the engine failure?

I was told this as a kid pilot way back in the mid 1980's. If a pilot makes an error it may kill him. If ATC makes an error it will likely kill the pilot! Great watch sir! Best from me Down Under in Middle Earth!

I don’t fly; but I’ve logged over 2.8 million miles in a Semi. Responsibility to safety is # One ....... sure glad you brought all your passengers safe and sound. You couldn’t of done that if you didn’t know ALL the ins and outs of flying. Well done Sir 👍

BEING IN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL IS NO PLACE FOR BUTT HURT. THAT CONTROLLER NEEDS DIFFERENT JOB.

Amazing story. Would love to hear the ATC audio. I'm sure it's not on there, but I'd really like to hear the reactions of other commercial pilots on the frequency. They must have been like damn that controller better let that beautiful plane land where he needs to

One word: Unable. Three more words: Make a hole. Never take crap from a controller sat in their easy chair. As PIC and especially running Mayday you have the final say. Period, yes. Nice save, and thanks as always.

A great example of how to handle a emergency! Thx. In 1955 in Edmonton Dad was taking Grandma for a flight in a Fleet Canuck he holding short, a landing B-25 blew a tire, headed directly for the Fleet Canuck, Dad was fast to open the throttle, thus avoiding a direct hit!

Hi Scott, I’ve a low tolerance for attitude from ATC or anyone else on the radio. Save any attitude for the post flight phone discussion. In the situation you’ve described I believe I’d have commenced a phone call pronto to the ATC supervisor. There’d be some questions I’d like answers to. After the word “Emergency” my job is no longer to not be a problem for ATC.

The atc was a control freak. Safest shortest resolution possible! Good vid!

My Dad was a radio operator for a brief time on a B 25 but mostly for C 47s during the war. Thanks for the video.

Very good information. No telling how many people have died because they forgot that they were in command and not ATC. In 41 years of commercial flying, (I was an airline captain for 12 years, then flying private jets for a major player in the fractional ownership industry for the last 21 years now, and before all that I did the cancelled check, night mail and cargo thing) I've declared an emergency maybe 7 or 8 times and had nothing but very prompt cooperation from ATC every time. And on that note, a big hats off to the controllers at KICT a couple of years ago who let me land against the flow of traffic and close their main runway for about an hour. We had long since declared, so when i requested that runway, they didn't argue or ask questions either. Another great video, keep 'em coming.

The "controller' NEEDS to be flippin' burgers at McDonald's ! IF he can do so without dropping them on the floor !

Great job staying focussed!

Some 25 years ago - back “pre 9-11” - I had the privilege of sitting in the jump seat behind the Captain of a fully laden Qantas (yes, I’m Aussie) B747-400 departing late at night from Frankfurt into full IMC. The First Officer had the controls. Just after entering the clouds, a lightning flash was seen in the murk directly ahead. The Captain immediately selected the weather radar application on one of the MFD’s which showed this dark purple mass directly in front of us surrounded by reds, oranges and yellows. He then said “My aircraft”, took the controls and turned left while calling ATC, declaring “This is an emergency. QF** (can’t remember the exact flight number) is turning left to avoid a thunderstorm directly ahead”, and for the next couple of minutes I listened while ATC immediately started to clear a path for us before passing us on to the next Controller and then the next Controller as we traversed south-west German and Austrian airspace until we were back on course, back at altitude, and clear of the storm front. Not one argued - they all just went about their jobs clearing our path and diverting any conflicting traffic. It was, it can, and it should be done. Thank you Scott for reinforcing the basic fundamentals for any Pilot In Command; first fly your aircraft, navigate your best and safest path, communicate in simple and direct terms with your controller or controllers and insist on your right to exercise your responsibility to fly the safest and most direct path out of danger, whether that be into clear air or safely stopped on the ground. As PIC it’s your aircraft, your responsibility, and your moral and legal right to do so. Please keep up the good work. None of us will live long enough to learn all there is to know from our own mistakes (even if we survive all of them), so stories like this, complete with your personal insights having had the privilege of sitting in an armchair with 20-20. Hindsight while you get to be your own critic, are far, far more memorable but reinforce both the regs and any well-written, well-intentioned training manual. Well done!

The title of this video caught my attention as I had a friend, now deceased, who taught navigation to B-25 crews in Las Vegas during WWII.

That was awesome, amigo. It's nice that some important lessons about flying can be learned without a body count. That was a very important lesson for ATC, too. Don't be afraid to declare an emergency if stuff goes south and before it gets out of hand. The latest video from Vasaviation, has an MD-11 losing its #1 engine but still able to hold 36,000'...yet they declare an emergency and divert. Smart move. Nothing gives me more faith in aviation than pilots making smart moves and getting all the help they can in an emergency instead of cowboying to the scene of the accident.

It's bizarre and disturbing that a controller, after you declared an emergency, would say anything other than, "Roger, what are your intentions. What is your fuel status and number of souls on board?" I would have balked at the descent order as well, until I had a plan of action worked out. This is a big deal! Way too much going on in the cockpit and brain to be forced into the additional stress of fighting a controller. This controller needs a reprimand and additional training.

The ones giving thumbs down must be ignorant of the rules of the air. If it was their butt in the hot seat they most assuredly would NOT want ATC telling them what to do. The pilot in command is the boss. PERIOD.

33 Charlie , you are a Nevada HERO ! 🙌

What a fine video! I'm glad you posted this. Nothing is more important than piloting your aircraft as circumstances dictate rather than appeasing ATC. Very good situational awareness and prioritization. 👍

Great lesson for a lot of pilots here - nevermind the paperwork, and before all else, fly the darn airplane! At the end of the day, you might make some people mad - but regulations aren't going to be against you if you just do that. Ultimately, I think this is where the various no-fault provisions do have an important role to play. Yes, pilots doing bad, dangerous, or illegal things should be looked into - but when you need to recover an airplane that's not in good condition, all that should be off the table. I'm going to actually keep that mental image of the printed email in mind - that's a great visual and, if you think about it, probably takes only a little more work than writing a RU-vid comment like this. Last thing you want on a single-engine approach is a pilot whose mind is thinking about mountains of paperwork. And of course, this also underlines why reading through the regulations every once in a while isn't a bad idea. If you know what your authority as PIC in a situation is - you won't have folks like this controller playing mind games with you when you need to focus on flying the airplane.

Hi Scott, my name is Craig and since you know the cockpit of a B25 and how tight it is, I'd like to share a news clip of something that happened to my dad in 1942. He was a co-pilot flying over SC when his pilot got out of his seat to go back and get some gun time when his parachute caught the safety handle of the overhead escape hatch which opened it and sucked the chute out full blossom and dragged him out the hatch. My dad was able to instantly grab on to the pilots foot with his right hand and hold on for dear life. Flying with one hand and at 200 mph and a full billowing chute it buffeted the plane badly, but somehow he was able to finally land on the third try. The pilot was badly bruised but alive when the medics got there. Dad received the service air medal for his actions and went on to fly with the 499th "Batsouttahell" in the south pacific. His B25 was a straffer model with eight 50 calibers out the nose and eight 500 pounders with parachutes, attacking ships and ground based installations at 50 feet off the deck (where did we get these men?) was devastating to the enemy forces. One of the greatest attacking aircraft of the war as you probably know, plus a dream to fly. I'd like to send the news clips with pictures to you on your private email so you may share with others, and possibly do a video, Could you text it to me at 970-739-8055? I see that you flew F4's another great attacker. I was a Marine ordnance man on F4's in Chu Lai Vietnam 67', 68' and 69' and sometimes we sent them off loaded with 28 five hundred pounders (would have been 30 but the centerline was too low), also with a 20mm gun pod. What a monster airplane but I ended up with hearing loss because they were so loud same as the 25. Tango Yankee Scott, keep up the great work.

Many a pilot has failed to take command of their situation, and allowed ATC to worsen their problems. As a 22,000 hour plus airline pilot I can attest that yes, sometimes controllers will attempt to "fly your airplane" for you. And most of the time you can accomodate. In an emergency, absolutely not. You need to take command, utilize all of your resources, and try to ensure the best possible outcome. I can remember years ago flying a Challenger 604 North towards the panhandle of Florida. There was a massive solid line of thunderstorms topping 40,000' plus feet. Only safe way to deal with them was to go around them a few hundred miles either direction. Of course the controller was swamped with all of the usual East Coast North South traffic. And almost every one of them asking for deviations. I asked the controller for a turn left out over the Gulf. He refused. I asked for a turn to the right. He refused. I informed him we could not continue on our present heading for much longer we would need to deviate for the weather. He said unable. I told him we would not fly into a thunderstorm and we need to get a turn. He again said unable. We were now getting closer than I liked flying directly at this line of weather. I told the controller we would take a turn to the left or a turn to the right, what ever worked best for him. But if he didn't give us a turn right now I was declaring an emergency and I would be making a turn. I again reminded him I would not fly into a thunderstorm. He gave us a turn. Only time in my career I ever had to pull that card out of my bag of tricks. And I didn't like doing it. But some guy in a chair at an ATC facility, butt firmly and safely planted on the ground, with a hot cup of coffee in hand is not going to dictate the safety of my flight. Later in my career I based out of LAS and flew B-757 and Airbuses out of McCarran airport. The tower and approach controllers are incredibly busy. And always do a great job. But every once in a while, they too try to fly your airplane. Usually because traffic was mismanaged. Weather or an emergency has altered their plan for traffic. We all have to live with ATC. Especially at our local/regular airports. So it is in our best interests to accomodate when we can. But some days we just can't. It is our butts in that shiny metal tube hurtling through the skies! Nice work keeping your emergency under control and manageable with a safe outcome for all! Thanks for sharing this story!