Successful Emergency Landing
Joe Durousseau, the operations fire chief in Reno, exemplified the quality of pilots that fly with LMV. Like Captain Sullenberger, who landed his airbus 320 safely in the Hudson River a little over a year ago, Joe remained calm, cool, collected, and focused with the safety of his passengers in the forefront of his mind. When he was preparing to land while approaching Reno, he lost his engine that he was unable to restart. His decision to make an emergency landing on the highway saved the lives of the 3 volunteer passengers and those on the ground during this unexpected situation.
While emergency situations are always a cause for concern, LMV is proud of the quality of pilots who safely carry our medical and dental teams into and out of Mexico for their humanitarian missions. Pilots, who are already proficient, have to go though a set of rigorous protocols, testing and mentoring to become LMV pilots. Certainly Joe is representative of those pilots and their high standard of skilled excellence. (For more information about the safety systems in place please see our full pilot checkout procedure on our website).
As expected, the National Transportation and Safety Board has released the plane back to the pilot. The FAA is continuing its investigation into the cause of the engine failure.
Joe and the other volunteers were returning from a 4 day mission in Villa Hildago, Sonora, Mexico where 3 planes full of volunteers provided free medical and dental clinics to this remote village.
For information about LMV and its humanitarian missions go to www.flyingdocs.org .
Adrian Fenderson DDS
Public Relations Officer LMV
www.napadentist.com
www.flyingdocs.org
