‘No idea how to fly’: Passenger safely lands plane after pilot falls ill

A passenger with no flying experience has safely landed a plane in Florida.

The pilot of the private Cessna 208 was travelling from the Bahamas to Palm Beach International Airport when the pilot suffered a medical episode.

Only three people were on board.

Air traffic control audio has captured the moment the passenger took over mid-flight.

“My pilot has gone incoherent, and I have no idea how to fly the airplane,” he can be heard saying.

Press PLAY below to hear the air traffic control audio

Former A380 pilot, James Nixon, says the first thing he’d be telling the passenger to do is to turn on autopilot.

“It’s not as if he’s just opened his eyes and he’s suddenly there, so he’s seen the thing take off,” he told Neil Mitchell.

“The guy is saying he’s spent a lot of time in planes … knowing most light plane pilots, they can’t help telling people what they’re doing and what’s going on.”

Mr Nixon says the passenger’s calm demeanor was key to the safe landing.

“You have to relax,” he said.

Press PLAY below to hear James Nixon explaining how to fly