New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens released by Indonesian rebels after being abducted more than 19 months ago

A New Zealand pilot has been released from captivity after being abducted and his small plane set on fire by separatists after it landed at a remote Indonesian airport early last year. “Today I finally escaped. I'm really happy that I will be going home with my family soon,” Philippe Mertens, 38, who was working […]
New Zealand Pilot Freed After 19-Month Captivity by Indonesian Rebels

(AFP) New Zealand pilot Philip Mertens has been released from rebel captivity in Indonesia's Papua region and is in good health despite his 19-month ordeal, Indonesian and New Zealand authorities said on Saturday. Mertens, 38, worked for Indonesian airline Susi Air when he was abducted by West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) rebels at Nduga […]
Alaska Airlines pilot, Emily Wiprud, had no clue Boein 737 Max 9 door plug blew off

The Alaska Airlines pilot who steered 171 passengers and four flight attendants to safety after the plane's door panel blew off didn't realize there was an emergency during the flight, but he knew something was “catastrophically wrong.” During an emergency landing with the captain at Portland International Airport in January, co-pilot Emily Whiprud feared passengers […]
Texas police department to introduce autonomous drone pilot program: ‘An eye in the sky’

Police departments in Texas may soon be using drones to respond to emergency calls, according to Police Chief Brian Jones. The Bee Cave Police Department demonstrated an autonomous drone system called “AV8” on Friday morning. The demo is part of a pilot project to test the AV8, which also includes a computer system to keep […]
Hunters Steve Atencio and JR Larsen rescue pilot after plane crash in Wyoming

The two hunters were wandering the wrong way in the Wyoming wilderness when a small plane crashed Sunday morning and they rescued the injured pilot from the raging flames. By coincidence, the pair, who were specially trained to rescue injured pilots, had a series of missteps, including taking a wrong turn while trying to avoid […]
Former pilot who tried to kill plane engines says he wants to fly again

See what’s clicking on FoxBusiness.com. A former pilot who tried to shut down a passenger plane’s engine mid-flight is hoping to one day be able to fly again. In his most detailed interview since the incident, Joseph Emerson, 44, spoke about the tragic lapse in reason that ruined his career, the emotional impact it has […]
Unauthorized pilot killed after crashing helicopter onto Australian hotel

A helicopter crashed onto the roof of an Australian hotel during an unauthorized flight early Monday, killing the pilot and injuring several others, authorities said. The New Zealand Herald reported that the pilot was 23-year-old Blake Wilson from New Zealand. The airline, Nautilus Aviation, confirmed to reporters that Wilson was an employee of the company […]
Turbulence is getting worse on flights — but a pilot says mandatory seat belts won’t help keep people safe

Turbulence is becoming more common, a trend that American Airlines Captain Dennis Tajer has experienced firsthand. Tagel, a pilot for more than 30 years, said it’s crucial for passenger safety to wear seat belts at all times while seated, even if it’s not required by law. It’s for their protection and the safety of those […]
Pilot, 35, identified from Brazil plane that spiraled out of sky and crashed, killing 62

The pilot of the plane that crashed, killing all 62 people on board, has been identified as the investigation into the South American plane crash continues. Dario Pacheco, mayor of the city of Vinhedo in Sao Paulo state, said Captain Danilo Santos Romano, 35, was the first victim identified in Friday’s fiery crash in Brazil. […]
Papua separatists kill helicopter pilot from New Zealand, say police | Indonesia

Separatist rebels in Indonesia’s easternmost province of Papua have killed a New Zealand helicopter pilot but four passengers on board were uninjured, police said. Glenn Malcolm Koning, a pilot for Indonesian airline PT Intan Angkasa Air Services, was shot dead, said Faisal Ramadani, a national police official and head of Papua’s Joint Security and Peace […]