On April 10th, 1945...
...units of the 72nd Squadron of the Royal Air Force...
...crossed the boundary of Germany...
...under the command of Canadian squadron leader Ted Stryker.
Their mission:
Penetrate enemy fighter cover and hold the formation intact...
...for a vital incendiary raid on the German supply depots of Wiesbaden.
At 0730, 12 miles from the target...
...enemy fighters were sighted directly ahead.
Stryker led his planes to meet them.
Using the thick fog banks below as a cover...
...the Spitfires eluded the remaining German fighters...
...and reformed for the initial run on the target.
Although Stryker's weather reports had indicated Wiesbaden would be clear...
...the fog had closed in over the entire area.
There were two possible decisions:
Pass up the vital target for less important alternate to the south...
...or maintain the descent relying on instruments...
...and a possible break in the fog near the ground level.
Stryker went for the vital target.
Too late he realized his mistake. Blinded by the fog...
...six of Stryker's men crashed into the German countryside.
Five weeks later the war in Europe was over.
But for squadron leader Stryker, seriously wounded in the course of the raid...
...a new kind of war just beginning.
It's closed in, Ted.
- What about the alternate target? - Can't see anything.
- Think we're off course. - We're on course.
We're too low, Ted. We're too low!
It seems to be healing very nicely...
...everything considered.
Pressure on the optic nerve is almost completely gone.
- Is there any pain left in there? - No.
Keep looking straight ahead.
I heard about that meeting at headquarters this morning.
Taking all the blame for what happened on that raid was a courageous thing to do.
Was it?
Because of my mistake, six men didn't return from that raid.
What's the good of condemning yourself?
Nothing you can do about it now.
There's nothing I can do about it, but that doesn't mean I can live with it.
You're gonna have to, sooner or later. You might as well get used to it.
You don't, you haven't got much of a life ahead.
That's easy to say.
But those were my men.
We'd been through a lot together.
They were depending on me.
They'd be going home now if I hadn't failed them.
What about failing yourself?
You know, I've been watching you the past few weeks here at the hospital...
...seeing no one, speaking to no one.
You're on the run, Stryker.
You gotta face what happened. Forget it.
Nobody's got a corner on mistakes, in a war or any other time.
Good luck, Stryker.
You have the authority to hire anybody you want, haven't you?
After they're cleared for the kind of highly classified government work we're doing...
...yes.
What is it, my war record again?
No, not really.
You're the only one keeping that alive. For most people it's ancient history.
- You expect me to believe that? - It's the truth.
Frankly, what bothers us is your record since the war.
Twelve jobs in 10 years.
And not one of them shows you can accept any responsibility.
Not one of them was worthy of a man of your training and experience.
But I've stayed away from the thing I was really trained for.
You know why.
But now--
Look, Frank, I may be all the things they say I am...
...but I think I can handle that job, and I need it very badly.
My wife and I....
Well, we're right at the breaking point.
I'll do anything you say if you'll just give me a chance.
I won't let you down, Frank, I promise you.
All right, I'll see what I can do.
Thanks.
Hi, Mrs. Purty. Anything for me?
No. There's one for your wife.
It looks like you two are going to do a little celebrating.
Everything the law allows. This is a pretty special occasion.
I know, you got that job you've been wanting.
It looks that way. I'll tell you all about it later.
Ellen?
Oh, Ellen, I think--
Ellen. Ellen.
- When do we take off, Mom? - Oh, any minute now, dear.
They've almost finished loading the baggage.
We'll be taking off in a few minutes.
Do you want to take the seat right there?
Thank you.
You feel all right, sir?
Oh, I haven't been up for a long time.
Would you like some Dramamine?
There's only room for one man in there.
Ted.
- Dad. I thought you weren't coming. - Hi, Joey.
I came home early and found your note.
I guess you meant for me to read it later.
Ellen, I've got to talk to you. Joey can sit in my seat back there.
I just don't want to go over it anymore.
I just thought--
How'd you like to go up in the cockpit, Joey?
Could we?
I'll check and see if they'll let us up there.
Be reasonable, Janet. I can't help breaking our date in Vancouver.
I've gotta be in Seattle by tomorrow night or I'll lose the Lake Club job.
You know what it means if I can work into that MC spot?
We could be married by summer.
That sounds a little familiar, like one of your routines.
I'm sure whatever your reasons, they're excellent.
- Thank you. - Your name, sir?
Stryker.
Oh, I was just speaking to your wife and little boy.
- I didn't know you were traveling together. - That's all right.
I wonder if you could do me a favor?
My boy has never been inside of a cockpit before...
...and like all kids, he's crazy about planes and pilots.
Oh, I'm sure we can arrange that.
Temperature's creeping up again on Number 3, Bill.
I'll open the cowl flaps a little more.
It's still running a little hot.
We have visitors.
- Hello. - Hi.
This is Captain Wilson and our first officer, Mr. Stewart.
And this is Mr. Stryker and his son, Joey.
We don't want to be in the way but I thought the boy might have a look.
- You feeling any better? - Yeah, I'm okay now.
I'll be serving dinner soon.
Grilled halibut or lamb.
- The fish. It was good last week. - Same for me.
- Okay. - That's what I'd like too, please.
I'll serve it as soon as you come back. What about you, Mr. Stryker?
- I'll have the meat. - All right.
Come on, move up here. You can see better.
Joey, here's something we give our special visitors. Would you like to have it?
Thank you. Thanks a lot.
You ever been in a cockpit before?
No, sir, I've never been up in a plane before.
How do you like it?
Swell. Are those the things that work the propellers?
How'd you know that?
My dad, he was a flyer in the war. He flew jets.
I've told you before, Joey, they didn't have jets when I flew.
Well, he flew a lot anyway. Fighters.
Shot down a lot of planes, too, didn't you, Dad?
- Joey. - And you never fly anymore?
I thought you guys never got it out of your system.
- Do you want me to check the weather? - No, I'll get it. Excuse me.
We better get back now.
Joey can stay here for a while, if he'd like to.
Could I, Dad?
Okay, if you don't get in the way. Thanks very much.
Flight 714 to Winnipeg Radio.
Climbing, climbing to cruise 8000.
What's the latest on the weather, please?
It's not good. Looks like snow and ice crystals around Regina.
Most likely some fog in an hour or two.
But you're not going into Calgary, so that shouldn't bother you.
What's the forecast on Vancouver?
Should be all right when the fog clears, captain.
Flight 714. Thanks a lot.
Well, Joey, what do you think of all this?
Would you like to grow up and be a pilot like your dad?
Try it again with me, Ellen. Just try.
I have.
I've tried to believe that you'd take hold somewhere.
Ted, face it for once.
We've been on the run ever since the war.
Different cities, different jobs.
And all the time, you've kept growing further and further away from Joey and me.
He's needed you, Ted.
I've needed you, but you were never there.
I know things haven't been right for a long time, Ellen.
But it'll be different, like it was at the beginning. Remember?
I remember everything. It's all I've ever had to go on.
Mostly I remember the nights when we were together.
I remember how you used to hold me...
...and then afterwards how we'd watch until the sun finally came up.
When it did, it was almost like--
Like each new day was created only for us.
That's the way I've always wanted it to be, no matter what's happened, Ellen.
But I remember other things too.
How you began to change right in front of my eyes.
Everything that we had together, Ted, is--
It's gotten lost somewhere.
It isn't what you did, it's more and more what you didn't do.
Maybe I should have been of more help to you...
...but you wouldn't even let me do that.
All I've ever wanted was to see you stop running away.
To face the one big mistake you ever made in your whole life.
It's the kind of mistake that any man could make under fire.
And I've waited. Waited so long for you to make a stand somewhere...
...for the three of us.
I will. I promise.
Joey and I can't live any longer on your promises. I'm sorry.
Don't you feel anything for me at all anymore?
It takes so many things to make love last.
Most of all it takes respect.
I can't live with a man I don't respect.
- Here, put it in the cupboard quick. - Boys.
It's just a drop of water.
- Are you ready for something to eat? - We're about worked up to it at that.
What would you like? Grilled halibut or lamb chops?
Now, isn't that just like home? I'll have a wee bit of halibut.
- Are there chips come with it? - Not chips.
But we have the specialty of the house, au gratin potatoes.
- What about you gentlemen? - I believe I'll have the meat.
- And so will I. - Okay.
Why don't you come to the big game with us?
- It should be a good one. - Oh, I don't know anything about football.
You'll be right at home with my two friends here.
- They don't know anything about it, either. - Oh, I can hardly believe that.
You just don't understand this new formation the Argos have.
This chap goes way out into the flat, where he can take off fast or go long.
That's what they call a flanker. And you just cannot defense against it.
- We'll see you later, Joey. - Okay. Thanks a lot.
- Nice boy, huh? - Sure is.
Hey, we've been waiting for you. Little bit late tonight.
- Who wants to be first? - Go ahead. I got it.
Okay.
How's the weather?
Not good. We've got heavy stuff ahead.
It might get rough unless we climb on top.
- Do you think we'll get in on time? - About a half hour late.
- Hey, Jan. - Yeah?
How are you and your boyfriend doing? Think you'll ever get him to the altar?
I'll get him if I have to drag him every inch of the way.
After all, remember I've been trained for every kind of emergency.
- How's the fish? - Not bad, not bad at all.
Save me some seconds if you have some left over, huh?
Save you some seconds?
Mr. Stewart, I think with your appetite,
that this airline can't afford you any longer.
Well, back to the kitchen.
I sure wish you had flown jets, Dad.
I'm afraid they're a little too fast for me, Joey.
Why don't you fly anymore? I wish you would.
Then you could take me up with you.
Maybe you could even teach me to fly.
That'd be great. We could have a lot of fun.
I just don't seem to have the time anymore, Joey.
- You never have time for anything. - I know.
- Dad? - Yes?
Why were Mom and me going away without you?
Well, Joey, your mother felt that it might be a good idea...
...for you two to have a little trip together.
And I just didn't know whether I could go or not, until the last minute.
I was afraid we weren't going to see you again, ever.
Where did you ever get that idea?
- Are you finished? - Oh, thank you.
I don't like this rain, love. Our boys would get hurt on a wet field.
It's gonna clear off in Vancouver by tomorrow. We got that report.
I'm glad to hear it. I can rest a bit easier now.
You see, between you and me...
...I have some nice wagers on the contest tomorrow.
- Oh, well, I wish you a lot of luck. - Well, thank you very much.
- Would you care of a drop, madam? - Certainly not.
I had such a good sleep.
Wait a minute, I think there's someone staring at us.
Paddy, we're on an airplane. There are other people with us.
He's not joining our act now, is he, Tony?
You know I work alone.
- Oh, stop. - I'll find out for myself.
Excuse me, young man.
- Are you in show business? - Who, me?
He's a nice-looking boy.
He might be movie material.
- Say, what's his name? - Paddy. He works for me.
Hello, darling. Oh, fasten your safety belts.
It's going to be a rough ride.
It certainly is. Joey, here's your dinner.
You didn't bring me my dinner, darling.
- Well, what would you like? - A little kiss.
Not now, later.
He's got a one-track mind, just like me.
Oh, Paddy, you're impossible.
- Yes? - I can't stand it.
- What is it? - I can't stand it.
My stomach.
I never felt anything like it before.
Help me. Please, help me.
Just a moment, I'll get you some Dramamine.
Help me.
Yes?
Captain, one of the woman passengers is very sick.
Airsick?
I think so, but I've never seen it so acute.
Find out if there's a doctor onboard as quietly as you can.
I'll be back as soon as we get over this weather.
We're running out into icing conditions. Can you clear us to get over 10,000 feet?
Okay, A TC clears Flight 714 to 10,000. Go ahead.
714 to ATC, thank you.
These pills should help you. Try to relax.
The captain will be back to see you.
Thank you. How long before we land?
Almost five hours.
Sorry I had to wake you. There's no emergency.
It's a passenger who's in a discomfort. We thought a doctor could help.
Go back to sleep. Fasten your safety belts.
We'll be out of the storm in a while.
- Stewardess. - Yes?
I think the man next to me is a doctor.
Oh, thank you. Sir? Excuse me, sir.
I'm sorry to wake you. Are you a doctor?
- That's right. - We have a passenger who's sick.
- Could you come look at her? - Yes, yes, of course.
My boy's sick to his stomach.
It's like airsickness, only worse. I've never seen anything like it.
This gentleman's a doctor.
I'll be with you in a moment. Try to keep him quiet.
All right. But hurry, will you, doctor?
This is a doctor. He's going to help you.
May I see your tongue, please?
Now, is the pain there?
- No, up. - There?
I'll be back in a minute.
You better tell the captain. We've got to land.
This woman has to be gotten to a hospital.
- What do you think it is? - I can't be sure.
It's serious enough to land at the nearest city with hospital facilities.
- Tell the captain I want to speak to him. - Certainly.
Put this around you, Joey. Keep you warm.
Hello, son. Sorry you're not feeling well. Would you put your tongue out, please?
What's he had to eat in the last 24 hours?
Just the usual things. Bacon and poached eggs for breakfast.
A roast-beef sandwich at noon and dinner on the plane.
Well, these should help him.
- Thank you. - I'll be back in a minute.
Captain, how soon can we land?
- We can't. - Why?
Fog has closed down everything this side of the mountains.
- We'll have to go to Vancouver. - That faster than turning back?
- Yes, we've passed the point of no return. - How soon do you expect to land?
About 2:15, Pacific Time. Roughly four hours from now.
Well, I'll just have to do what I can.
Get him out of there.
What is it? What's happening?
There's a common denominator to these attacks. There's got to be.
The most likely thing is food.
What was it we had for dinner tonight?
- Well, the main course was meat or fish. - Oh, yes, yes. I remember, I had meat.
What did he have?
- Fish. - And the two stick passengers?
Well, the little boy had fish.
- I don't remember about the woman. - Well, find out quickly, please.
Yes?
My wife is very sick. Can you do something, please?
The doctor will be with you in just a moment.
One thing. Do you know what she had for dinner?
Yes, of course. We both had fish. Why?
Oh, it's nothing to be alarmed about. We'll get back to you very quickly.
We need ambulance standing by and the hospital notified.
- They have to have special equipment ready. - Right.
Is there any chance at all landing near Calgary?
- None. - Doctor?
The woman ate fish too.
And there are two more cases. And they ate fish.
Well, now we know what we're facing.
Find out everybody who had fish and help me get medicine to them.
You'd better notify Vancouver to put a ban on serving any food...
...from the source that furnished that fish.
- Doctor? - Yep?
I just remembered something.
I ate fish too.
Oh, darling. Oh, sweetheart.
Try to stay covered, Joey. I know it hurts, darling.
But your father's just gone for the doctor.
- Stewardess, what's going on? - Just keep your seat, please.
- I've got to see the doctor. - He'll be with you.
Several people are ill. We're doing all we can.
- Does he know what it is? - You'd better talk to him.
- Can I help? - Oh, yes, Tony.
- Would you help give me out the medicine? - Sure.
Calgary Radio, this is 714. We're in trouble.
We've got to have all altitudes below us cleared...
...and priority approach and landing at Vancouver. Go ahead.
Stand by, 714.
Air-Traffic Control Vancouver, priority message.
Calgary Radio for Vancouver dispatcher. Hold it.
This is Cross-Canada.
Calgary Radio, Flight 714 notifies emergency.
Wants all lower altitudes cleared, priority approach and landing. Hold it.
Flight 714 notifies emergency.
Hold all takeoffs. That's right.
I don't want another plane in the air. I don't care what the commitments are.
Charter Flight 714 is in trouble. Food poisoning.
I can't go into detail now, but it's coming in without a copilot.
That's what I said. The copilot's unconscious.
There's a chance the food poisoning will strike the captain.
What about that air force North Star, just reported at 18,000?
Tower, when the North Star reports, bring it straight in.
And clear Green Airway 1.
Yeah, we'll let you know the minute anything happens.
You don't believe there's a chance of the captain getting sick?
You read the message.
This is going to be a real sweat.
Better take this in to Burdick.
Put out a general bulletin to suspend all meal service on flights out of Winnipeg.
Keep everyone out of this area. We don't want a mob out here.
- What's the latest on the weather? - Closed down.
Low stratus and ground fog. So are Edmonton and Lethbridge.
- You working them direct? - No, through Calgary.
Get a message through. Ask if they're got a doctor on board.
Tell them we're getting the best medical advice here.
Get me Dr. Davidson.
You'll find his number in the emergency list.
Then get me the police.
I want the weather on every landing field on their side of the mountains.
Any place there's a chance to land.
No dice. Calgary's run that check.
There's fog down to the deck everywhere east of the Rockies.
They'll have to come through.
How long ago did Calgary talk to Captain Wilson?
- About 10 minutes. - Is he still feeling all right?
Hasn't affected him at all so far.
He's got to fight it off.
The morphine should help you hold it off.
- Do you still feel all right? - Yeah.
There's seldom logic to these things. You might not be affected.
- How are the people back there? - We'll take care of them.
You're sure there's no possibility of the weather clearing...
- ...before we start over the mountains? - Not a chance.
Well, I'd better get back.
I think I'll tell them all what's causing the trouble, if you agree.
Go ahead.
Doctor?
I'm glad you're here.
May I have your attention, please?
My name is Baird. I'm a doctor.
As you know, some of the passengers are sick.
We suspect the fish which was served for dinner might have been contaminated.
There's no cause for alarm. Even if you had fish you might not be affected.
But if you did have fish, we'll tell you what to do.
The boy's in an awful lot of pain. Can you do anything?
He'll be asleep before long. Keep him quiet and warm. That's your job.
What's going on up there? I think I have a right to know.
Don't worry. Everything's all right.
Dad, don't leave me.
I won't, Joey.
Pardon me. Did you have meat or fish for dinner?
I had the blinking fish.
Take these pills. They'll make you sick.
Fine, how-do-you-do this is.
They'll give you your dinner and then come around and ask for it back.
Captain?
Captain Wilson?
Quickly. It's the captain.
- Bill! - You've gotta give me something...
...so I can hold out till we land. You understand?
The automatic pilot will fly itself on this course,
but I've gotta take it in.
- Watch the controls. - I know. Get him back.
We've gotta keep him warm.
Doctor, can you do it? Can you help him make a landing?
- Stewardess-- What's your first name? - Janet.
Well, Janet, you're a member of this crew. Can you face some unpleasant facts?
- I think so. - All right.
Unless I can get these people to a hospital quickly I can't be sure of saving their lives.
I don't understand. What is it?
There was something toxic in that food. Some bacteria poison.
How did it get there?
There are ways. That's not important. What is important:
These people need hospital facilities. Stimulants, intravenous treatment for shock.
But the pilots.... How are we going to land?
Is there anybody else onboard who can land this plane?
No one from the airline. I don't know about anybody else.
- How many passengers are there? - Thirty-eight.
I think you ought to know what our chances are.
The life of everybody aboard depends on just one thing:
Finding someone who not only can fly this plane...
...but who didn't have fish for dinner.
I suppose I'd better begin asking.
I don't want the passengers to know. It might start a panic.
What am I gonna tell them?
Tell them.... Tell them the first officer is sick.
The captain wondered if there's someone with flying experience...
...who can help with the radio. Do you understand, Janet?
- Yes, doctor. - Okay.
Excuse me, but the first officer is ill...
...and the captain would like someone with flying experience...
...to help him with the radio. Do you know anything about planes?
Well, I flew in the war, but that was a long time ago.
- I wouldn't know anything about it. - Would you go up, please?
The stewardess said--
Not both pilots.
Can you fly this airplane and land it?
No, not a chance.
Doctor, I've asked everyone. Mr. Stryker is the only one.
What flying experience have you had?
I was a fighter pilot in the war.
But I flew little combat planes with only one engine.
This has four.
There's no comparison.
The flying characteristics are completely different.
It's a different kind of flying altogether.
Besides, I haven't touched any kind of plane for 10 years.
Mr. Stryker, I know nothing about flying.
you're the only person on this plane who can possibly fly it.
You're the only chance we've got.
Are you sure?
What about the pilots?
You're a doctor, can't you do something?
Unless I can get those people to a hospital quickly,
I can't be sure of saving their lives.
Mr. Stryker...
...the same thing is true of your son.
How long can they stay alive without help?
Two hours maybe. Two and a half at the most.
What are you going to tell the people?
Nothing yet.
Tell my wife something. She's expecting me back.
She'll have to know about this. You better get her.
- Yes. - Wait, what about our boy?
Oh, I'll see that he's taken care of.
Let's see, altitude.
Ten thousand feet.
Level flight.
Airspeed, 140 knots.
Course, 290.
We're on automatic pilot.
Thankful for that.
Prop controls.
Two thousand rpm.
Trim.
Mixture.
Landing gear.
Flaps. Should be an indicator somewhere.
There it is.
Oh, I'll need a checklist for landing.
Maybe we can get that on the radio.
Did they say anything about the weather?
The captain said we were near Calgary. We couldn't land because of bad weather.
Fog?
It's closed down everything around here.
Said we'd have to go through to Vancouver.
- Across the mountains? - That's right.
What about Vancouver? Is it cleared, Vancouver?
I think it will be by the time we get there. It's got to be.
Ted, what are you doing? You can't fly this plane.
That's what I've been trying to tell these people.
But they seem to have other ideas.
Mrs. Stryker, I haven't time to put this gently so I'll be very direct.
Both pilots are sick. Every one of us on this plane is in a desperate situation.
Yes, including your son.
- Your husband is the only hope we've got. - But he's--
If we're gonna come through this, he's gonna need some faith from all of us...
...including you. Do I make myself clear, Mrs. Stryker?
- I understand. - I need someone to help up here...
...to work the radio and a few other things.
You're the only one of the crew left.
- I'll need her with the passengers. - Then get someone else.
The fewer people know, the better. You better stay with your husband.
- But Joey's so sick. - No, you can do more here.
- I'll look after your boy. - He's right, Ellen.
Get in this seat and strap yourself in, will you?
But, Ted, I don't know anything about all this.
- We're starting even. - I'm going back now.
Oh, stewardess...
...you must've watched the pilots. Do you know how the radio works?
They've added a lot of gizmos since I did any flying.
It's the panel down here they use, I know that.
Where's the vhf?
They do something with that thing up there.
That's the frequency selector. Leave that where it is.
Oh, but they do something with a little knob.
Oh, that's it. Transmit.
- This is Flight 714, isn't it? - Yes.
I better go help the doctor.
- Mr. Stryker? - Yes?
- Good luck. - Thanks.
Ellen, you'd better put on that other headset.
I'm not gonna try to kid you, Ellen. This is gonna be tough.
So if you wanna go back with the others....
- I'll stay. - All right.
Let's see, what do I do now?
Call "mayday," I guess.
What does that mean?
That's a pilot's call for help when he's up against it.
It takes precedence over anything else.
Here goes.
Mayday. Mayday. Mayday.
This is Cross-Canada Charter Flight 714 in distress.
Come in, anyone.
714, this is Calgary Radio. Pass your message.
Calgary to all stations, 714 called mayday.
Frequency 126.7, now closed to all other traffic.
My name is Ted Stryker.
I'm a passenger on this airplane.
Correction, I was a passenger.
Where are the pilots?
Both pilots are seriously ill.
Fading.
Vancouver, this is Calgary. We're getting a mayday from 714.
It's coming in now. Right.
Winnipeg, are you on the line? 714 called mayday.
No details yet. Get Ballard. Hold, please.
714 called mayday. Stand by.
714 called mayday.
- Clear everything, hold all traffic. - Right.
And all of my flying has been done in single-engine fighters.
And also, I haven't done any flying for 10 years.
So, what you better do is get someone...
...who can give me instructions in flying this plane and landing it.
That's the story. It's your move down there.
You want to take a bet that stirred up some excitement?
Calgary to 714. Stand by, please.
Okay.
Well, I guess I'd better get myself oriented.
Tell Calgary to acknowledge and stand by.
We're getting help. We'll be on the air with it soon.
Winnipeg on the wire, Harry.
Ballard says he knows something about this man, Stryker.
Burdick here.
We'll do everything we can.
Yes, I understand.
Get every piece of emergency equipment alerted...
...every mile from here to the mountains.
I want every light poured on that field.
You might try praying. They're gonna need it.
Get me Captain Treleaven. He flew with Stryker, Ballard tells me.
Knows him inside out.
We've got to have him. Then get my office.
How about some coffee, Johnny? Strong.
Your office, line 4.
Is that you, Max?
I want a complete cockpit diagram for a DC-4 and a pre-landing flight check.
I'm in the Dispatch Office and I want them over here fast. Right.
Yeah?
The last ETA we had was 0215 local time.
We'll want all air traffic cleared from this area.
This guy doing the flying has had no airline experience.
He'll be a menace to himself and everything else in the air.
All right. Let's work for that.
I'll call you if there's a change in time.
It's gonna be a late night.
Treleaven's not in. His babysitter's on the phone.
Okay. Get a police car to pick him up as soon as I locate him.
This is the operations manager at the airport.
This is very important.
Do you know where Captain Treleaven was going?
What did you say? I can't hear you.
Can you tell me where Captain Treleaven was going this evening?
Just a minute.
What did you want?
Please. This is urgent. Where is Captain Treleaven?
I think they said they were going to the Hotel Vancouver.
Yeah, the Panorama Roof.
Sure. Bye.
What's the matter with them down there?
Calgary, this is 714.
Have you any message for me yet? Go ahead.
Stand by, 714. Vancouver is doing everything possible.
We'll be calling you very shortly.
Okay.
Look, Ellen, in a little while, I'm going to be pretty busy in here.
You better take over the radio from here in.
How will I know what to do?
There's nothing to it.
You just take that microphone up there.
That's the one.
Push that button on the side when you're ready to talk.
I'll tell you what to say.
Chief, this is Cross-Canada dispatcher.
We have an emergency on Flight 714, due here at 0215 local time.
It may be a crash landing. Stand by with everything.
Alert the air force too. And will you call the city fire department?
They may wanna move equipment into the area. Right.
- Got the city police? - On your line now.
This is Cross-Canada Charter. Who is this, please?
Oh, inspector, we're in bad trouble.
- Have you told the brass yet? - I've gotta call Montréal now.
- They're not going to like this. - That'll be a real help, won't it?
We've gotta get a statement to the press. Get Cliff Howard here.
Okay, and the boss is on the line now, number three.
No, sir, he isn't qualified, but I've got our senior captain coming in.
He flew with Stryker in the war.
Of course it's a terrible risk, but can you think of something better?
I haven't given any statement. Howard's coming in for that.
Harry?
ETA is 0215, Pacific Time.
I've got a lot to do. I'd better get on with it.
I'll call you as soon as I know anything more. Bye.
Well, that's the whole story, Martin. Everything we know.
All right, Harry, let's face a few facts.
As you know, I flew with this man Stryker during the war.
What you don't know is...
...that doesn't make my job any easier here tonight.
Frankly, you'd be a lot better off if you got somebody
who doesn't know him at all.
I don't think that has anything to do with it.
It has everything to do with it.
It's a mistake if he knows that I'm the man who's talking him in.
He'll have a million things on this mind without being reminded of those days...
- ...when things weren't so good. - Things aren't so good.
While we're talking, there are 38 lives waiting for a decision.
Let me tell you something.
Ted Stryker was a crack flight leader, up to a point.
But he was one of these men who--
Well, let's just say he felt too much inside.
Maybe you know the kind.
Ate his heart out over every name on a casualty list.
- What's wrong with that? - I'll tell you what's the matter with that.
He went all to pieces on one particular mission.
But I've never felt there was the slightest excuse for it.
The upshot of it all was that when everything turned sour...
...he left some mighty fine men behind him.
Now, I may be wrong. I hope I am.
But my feeling is that when the going gets really rough upstairs tonight...
...Ted Stryker's gonna fold up. That's all I can tell you.
Look, Martin, I want you to get on the horn and talk this guy down.
No matter what you think.
Let him get the feel of this airplane on the way.
You'll give him a landing check, talk him onto the approach.
And so help me, you'll have to talk him right down to the ground.
All right, Burdick.
I just want you to know what we have to contend with.
Very well, it's settled.
- Who's got the cigarettes? - Here.
- Matches? - Yeah.
Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit smoking.
All right, let's get started.
- Can you work 714 direct now? - Yeah, reception's good.
- We can take over any time. - Okay.
Calgary Radio, Vancouver Radio. We'll work 714 ourselves now.
714, this is Calgary Radio.
Vancouver Radio is taking over now and will work you direct.
Keep your transmitter at the same frequency.
And 714, good luck. Over.
Thanks, Calgary. 714 standing by for Vancouver.
The one hope we have is to build this man up.
I've got to give him all the confidence I can,
along with the technical end of it.
If he keeps calm, cool, does what I tell him,
we'll bring that plane in.
But above all else...
...I don't want him to know that I'm as full of doubts as I've got to admit I am.
All right, let's go. Put Stryker on the speaker.
Okay. You can use that hand mike there.
Flight 714, this is Vancouver. Can you read? Go ahead.
There they are. I'll talk to them first.
Yes, Vancouver. We read you. Go ahead, please.
Okay, captain, it's all yours.
Hello, Flight 714. This is Vancouver.
Stryker?
Stryker, this is Captain Martin Treleaven speaking.
If you read me, go ahead.
Yes, Captain Treleaven.
I read you loud and clear. Go ahead.
All right, it's obvious you remember me.
What do you say you and I forget about everything except what we have to do now?
You and I are gonna bring this plane in together.
Before we start, I'd like to say something.
I know that right now, things must look pretty rough up there.
But if you do what I tell you when I tell you to do it...
...there's no reason you can't bring that plane in.
Let's not kid each other, Treleaven.
You know I've never flown a bucket like this.
And I haven't been at the controls for over 10 years.
I'm going to need all the luck there is, and then some.
All right, Stryker.
Now, you listen to me, and you listen close.
You begin thinking that way and we're finished before we start.
Flying is no different than riding a bicycle.
It's just happens to be something you never forget.
Now, are you still on automatic pilot? Go ahead.
Yes, we're still on automatic pilot.
Very well.
You just make yourself comfortable up there.
I'd like you to disengage the automatic pilot...
and begin to get the feel of the controls.
But first, let me tell you,
the controls will feel very heavy compared with a fighter.
Don't worry about that. It's perfectly normal.
You must watch your airspeed closely. Don't let it fall below 120.
I know you recognize the importance of that. I'd like to repeat it.
Under no circumstances must you let that airspeed fall below 120 miles per hour.
Now, there's one other thing.
Have you someone up there who can work the radio and leave you free for flying?
Yes, I have a--
A passenger here with me who'll take over the radio.
All right, I'm going to unlock the automatic pilot.
The radio's all yours now.
Keep your eye on that airspeed.
I've got a lot of work to do with this man. We might as well start planning the landing.
Get the chief radar operator up here, will you? Tell him I want to talk to him.
Hello, Stryker. How you making out? You got the feel of her yet?
Tell him we're on manual now, trying out some shallow turns.
I should have asked you this before. What kind of weather you in up there?
- Rain. - And a little ice.
And a little ice.
Start your deicers working.
The control is on the fuse panel at your left knee.
Deicer's on.
Tell him we're coming into some heavy clouds and will be on instruments.
How does she handle now, Stryker?
Sluggish, like a wet sponge.
That's perfectly natural because you're used to handling smaller airplanes.
- Radar chief's on his way up. - Tell him to get the lead out.
Hello, Stryker? Watch violent movement of the controls...
...like you used to make in Spitfires and Mustangs.
If you do move the controls violently you will overcorrect.
Is that clear? Go ahead.
Tell him I understand.
Yes, Vancouver.
He understands.
Now, I want you to try climbing.
Leave your throttle the way it is.
Bring your airplane to approach speed which is 130.
That should put you in a very gentle climb. Whatever you do, watch airspeed closely.
Oh, we're going to crash. I know we are.
Please, try to be calm.
The doctor will be here in a moment. We've leveled out again. Look, see?
She'll be all right now.
- How are you feeling now? - I feel terrible.
I didn't need those pills to make me sick.
And never mind tonight's dinner.
Right now, I'm working on yesterday's breakfast.
- Would you keep him covered? - Oh, yes, certainly.
Hi, Joey. How's the boy?
Stomach still hurt?
Say, you know, Paddy's been asking about you.
Paddy. Hey, Paddy?
There he is. Hi, Paddy.
Say, he doesn't look so good either.
Paddy, let me see your tongue. Now, come on, let me see your--
Come on, now.
You know, I've never seen it look better.
Paddy, why don't you stay right here with Joey and he'll take good care of you.
Okay.
Okay, there you are.
I'll just take you off here. And you take good care of him, Joey.
Put him right in there. Oh, that's good.
Now, lift your hand up there and I'll show you how to do it.
Hey, how are you, Paddy?
Fine.
Okay, you two try to get some sleep. All right?
We'll be there before you know it.
Okay, Joey.
Soon as he shows up on radar, feed me the information. I'll relay it.
- How about the final approach? - Handle that the same way.
As soon as you have him on the scope, we'll move to the tower.
Report up there.
We'll decide on the runway and plan the approach.
Yes, sir.
Tell them we're on top of the clouds at 11,000 feet and leveled off.
We are now on top of the clouds at 11,000 feet and we're leveled off.
What is your present heading, Stryker?
Tell him the compass is still about 2-9-0.
The compass is still at 2-9-0.
All right. Try to stay on that heading. You may be a few miles off course...
....but we can correct that easily when you get in radar range.
I want you to feel how the ship handles at lower speeds...
..when the flaps and the gear are down.
But don't do anything until I give you the word.
Is that understood? Go ahead.
Yes, we understand, Vancouver.
All right, Stryker.
The first thing is to throttle back slightly.
Get your airspeed steady at 120, and then tell me when you're ready.
Keep your fingers crossed.
Ellen, watch the airspeed.
You'll have to call it off when we land. You may as well start practicing.
One forty, 135, 130, 125, 120...
...one fifteen, 110. That's too low. He said 120.
I know, I know. Watch it.
One fifteen, 120.
One twenty-five.
One twenty.
Steady at 120.
Tell them.
Hello.
Our airspeed is now steady at 120.
Now, Stryker, I want you to put down 20 degrees of flap.
Be careful not to make it any more.
The flap handle is on the lower right-hand side of the control pedestal.
Twenty degrees will mean moving the handle down to the second notch.
You'll have to put the flaps down, Ellen. There's the handle there.
Can you see the flap indicator, Stryker? It's near the center of the main panel.
There's the indicator he's talking about.
When I tell you, put the handle down two notches. Watch that indicator.
All right.
Tell them we're going to put the flaps down now.
We're going to put the flaps down now.
Okay, 714. Go ahead with your flaps.
Then, when they're down...
...get your airspeed steady at 120, adjust your trim and call me once again.
Twenty degrees of flap, Ellen.
All right.
The flaps are down and the airspeed is steady at 120.
All right. The next thing is to drop your gear.
Then you'll have the feel of the ship as it will be when you're landing.
Are you still in level flight?
By any remote chance?
More or less.
Ask him about prop controls and the mixture.
Vancouver?
What about prop controls and the mixture?
Well, at least he's thinking, anyway.
Never mind that for the time being.
Just concentrate on holding that airspeed steady with your flaps and gear down.
Okay, Ellen.
Put the gear down. Call off that airspeed.
Okay, Stryker. Your gear should be down by now.
Look for three green lights to show you that it's locked.
There's a hydraulic pressure gauge above the three lights.
That needle should be in the green range.
Three green lights.
The pressure's up. Tell them the gear and flaps are down...
...but she still handles like a wet sponge, only more so.
The gear and flaps are down now...
...but he says that she still handles like a wet sponge, only more so.
You'll get used to that.
I'm gonna give instructions for holding your altitude steady...
...while you raise the landing gear and flaps.
- We'll run through the whole thing again. - Again?
Look, I'm giving you all I've got the first time.
Don't expect me to sit here and go through a lot of dry runs.
You gonna bring that plane in or could you use help?
Ease up, Martin.
All right, Stryker, get ahold of yourself.
We don't have long to go now.
Sorry.
Ted, the speed.
Look at the speed, Ted. We're falling. Ted, we're falling.
Get the gear up. Get the gear up.
The mountains. Ted, the mountain.
I gotta get out of here. I gotta get out of here.
- I gotta get out of here. - Quiet.
Look. He isn't a pilot.
Now you know.
Mr. Stryker is the only person aboard who can fly this plane.
He was a pilot in the war and we can all help him by not getting in a panic.
Now, we all know there are dangers involved.
But is there any one here who'd like to take his place?
- They've faded out completely. - Aren't you getting anything?
714.
Hello, Vancouver?
Vancouver?
Ted, I can't get an answer. I think the radio is dead.
It can't be dead.
Hello, Vancouver?
Vancouver, come in, please. This is Flight 714.
There's nothing.
Wait a minute.
The radio must have been knocked off frequency.
- Do you remember where it was? - Oh, no, I didn't see it.
Hello, come in, Vancouver, please.
This is Flight 714.
Get Captain Wilson's wife for me.
You'd better call the first officer's home and the stewardess's.
Keep trying, will you?
714.
Are you getting anything yet?
No, what are we going to do?
Just keep trying.
Hello, Vancouver. Come in, please.
Harry, they won't leave without a statement from you.
You've got a runaway plane loose up there. That's what it comes down to.
This plane could crash anywhere in the city.
Into homes, factories, anywhere. Isn't that true?
We can't be sure of anything. We're doing everything we can.
714, this is Vancouver.
Vancouver calling 714.
Flight 714. Come in, please.
Flight 714.
This is Vancouver. Do you hear me?
- Come in, please. - Vancouver.
Vancouver, we're reading you again. Come in.
What happened?
We stalled. The radio went off, but we're all right now. We're climbing.
All right, Stryker, here's what you must do next.
Take a look at the fuel-tank gauges. Give me their exact reading.
I can't take much more of this.
Johnny, how about some more coffee?
- Hello. - Mrs. Wilson?
- Yes, this is Mrs. Wilson. - This is John Arnold...
...calling from the airport. There's trouble on your husband's flight.
We don't know how serious it is but Harry Ballard thought...
- ... you'd want to get here right away. - Yes, I'll be there right away.
Captain Wilson hasn't come out of it at all.
None of them have.
And Joey's worse.
Vancouver.
We've got to start down now.
Not just yet.
We'll have you on radar any second now.
I don't understand. He should have been in range 10 minutes ago.
He lost a lot of time. We don't know how far off course he went.
Radar, you getting anything?
Hold it. Hold it a minute. This may be something coming up.
Yeah, I have him now.
He's 10 miles south of course.
Tell him to turn right onto a heading of 3-0-5.
Nice work. Now, Stryker, we have you on radar now.
You're off course 10 miles to the south.
Please turn right onto a new heading of 3-0-5.
When you're ready, start losing altitude.
Tell him we're going on the new course. Ready to lose altitude.
Hello, Vancouver, we're now on the new course and ready to lose altitude.
Throttle back slightly but hold your airspeed steady...
...until you're losing altitude at 100 feet a minute.
Watch your instruments closely. You'll have to trust them all the way.
How long do you figure before the landing?
I don't know.
With luck about-- I'll say 30 minutes.
Call the tower. We need a double emergency crew on this one.
Make sure those hospital units are standing by.
Get me the fire department and city police.
Also, I want all traffic blocked off from this airport.
Now, here are the runways.
We have apartment buildings here, there and there.
Actually, what we'll have to do is alert the entire area.
So contact all fire departments, emergency equipment, the works.
There's no telling where this plane might come down.
Here are the banner sheets.
We're ready to roll either way.
I'd like to go back and see Joey again for a minute.
All right. This would be a good time. She's holding fairly steady right now.
Doctor?
- How is he? - I won't deceive you, Mrs. Stryker.
We're running out of time.
How soon do you think we'll be landing?
Well, I really don't know, but we're getting close.
Well, I'd better go and talk to your husband.
Please, God.
Will hospital equipment be at the airport?
Yes, everything.
The captain wants to talk to the stewardess.
- They want to talk to the stewardess. - I'll get her.
Excuse me, doctor.
714, stand by.
How is he?
Still unconscious.
Doctor says everybody--
I know, he told me.
Ellen, we're going to make it. You've got to believe that.
They want to talk to you, stewardess. There's a headset there.
- I've got it. - They've got the stewardess.
- All right. What's the girl's name? - Janet Turner.
How are you, Janet?
This is Captain Treleaven here.
Janet, when we make this landing, use emergency crash procedures...
...for protection of passengers. Understand?
- Tell him I understand. - Yes, she understands.
That's fine.
Just before the landing,
I'll ask the pilot to ring the emergency bell.
The button for that is right over the copilot's seat.
- There it is. - You see it, Ellen? Remember it.
That'll be your warning for final precautions.
- Stewardess. - Yes?
- Are the pilots strapped to seats? - Yes.
Good luck back there.
We'll be ready.
Twenty-nine miles from the field.
Turn left onto 3-0-0.
All right, Stryker, change your heading slightly.
Turn left onto 3-0-0. What is your altitude?
Altitude is 2500.
- Bad news, the fog's getting thicker. - There's nothing we can do about that.
Tell the tower to light up. Put on everything they've got.
We'll be coming up. I want their radio on the same frequency.
- Stryker won't have time to fool around. - Right.
- Listen, you! - Let go of me.
- I'm trying to help you. - I won't. Let me go.
All right, leave her to me.
All right. Now, listen to me. Listen to me.
Calm down, relax.
Come on, now.
Oh, Tony, I'm all right, it's just everything at once.
Here, drink this. Come on, drink it.
Remind me never to travel this airline again.
They have terrible coffee.
I'll get you the best coffee in Vancouver as soon as we land.
I'm sorry about what I said to you before.
Forget it.
Honestly, I couldn't have done it without you.
I'd like it to go on that way for at least the next 100 years.
Oh, me too.
You are now nine minutes from the airport.
Are you ready to begin your final descent?
Tell him we're on top of the overcast. Nothing but fog below.
- Not a break in it anywhere. - Vancouver...
...we're on top of the overcast.
There's not a break in at anywhere.
This would be a tough landing for anybody to make.
Maybe if we hold him off for a bit, we'll get a break in the weather.
All right, you'd better stay up there for a bit. Keep circling.
We got everything out of the air. You won't have trouble.
As soon as the fog lifts, we'll bring you in.
I'll take it, Ellen.
No dice, Vancouver. I'm coming straight in now.
Dr. Baird says the sick people are in critical condition and every minute counts.
Don't be a fool, Stryker.
You know what a landing like this means, you more than anybody.
That's right, but we've got to come in.
But he can't. Tell him he's gotta stay up there.
Let's face it, Harry. There's nothing we can do about it.
All right, level off at 2000 feet and wait for instructions.
I'm going to the tower. You won't hear from me for a bit.
We'll decide on the runway to use so you can land into the wind.
He can't bring it down in this soup. It's 100-to-1 anyway.
I know, I know. But it's his ship now, his command.
Stand by, Stryker. I'm going to the tower and good luck.
We're on our way up now.
- Decide on the runway yet? - Runway 9.
It's the longest and pretty well into the wind.
- Radar. - Yes, captain?
This is the way we'll handle it.
Now, he's here.
I'll turn him so he begins to make a wide right-hand circle...
...at the same time, bring him down to 1000 feet.
I'll start the pre-landing check then make him turn onto final.
- Is that clear? - Yep.
- Is the phone hooked up to Radar? - Right there, sir.
How do I talk to the field?
Just flip that speaker on, sir.
Tower to all emergency vehicles.
Runway is nine.
Airport tenders, take positions number one and two.
Civilian equipment, number three.
Air force, positions number four and five.
All ambulances to position three.
714, this is Treleaven in Vancouver Tower.
Are you ready to line up for the landing?
- Okay, Vancouver. We're ready. - Harry.
Got a cigarette, Nels?
Joan, I thought you'd like to know the latest.
Now, your husband and the others are alive but unconscious.
There's a good chance we can save them if Stryker can get this plane down in time.
That isn't really much of a chance, is it?
It's the only one we've got.
Eight miles.
Turn right to heading 0-8-0.
After this message, do not acknowledge further transmissions...
...unless you wanna ask a question. You are now eight miles from the airport.
Turn right to a heading of 0-8-0, throttle back slightly...
...and begin to lose altitude to 1000 feet.
I just want to tell you both, good luck.
- I'll keep your son with me. - Thank you.
- Thanks, doctor. - Right.
Hold your airspeed steady at 120.
Tell him we're at 1000 feet and leveling off.
We're now at 1000 feet and leveling off.
Now set your mixture controls in autorich. That is, in the top position.
Those four levers, Ellen. Pull them all the way up.
All right, Stryker, put down 20 degrees of flap.
Twenty degrees of flap, Ellen.
When your flaps are down, re-trim for level flight.
He's all over the place. Nine hundred feet up to 1300 feet.
Watch your altitude, Stryker. It's too erratic.
Try to hold steady at 1000 feet.
Any break in the fog up there?
No, nothing yet. I can't see a thing.
Keep checking those instruments.
You'll have to trust them all the way.
Close up. Stay in formation. Target's just ahead.
Target should be clear if you go in low enough. You'll have to decide.
Too low, Ted. We're too low.
Stryker? Stryker, can you hear me? You've got to keep her up. Keep her up.
Stryker, get your altitude back. You need 1000 feet.
He's dropping off fast. Almost 700.
Stryker, get back to 1000 feet.
Captain, he's below 700 now, and he's still going down.
You can't come straight in.
You've got enough fuel left for two hours' flying.
Stay up there until we get a break in the weather.
I'll take it, Ellen.
Listen, Treleaven, I'm coming in.
Do you hear me? I'm coming in right now.
We have people up here including my son...
...who'll die in less than one hour, never mind two.
I may bend your precious airplane, but I'll bring it down.
Now get on with the landing check.
I'm putting the gear down now.
- Ted? - Yes?
I just wanted you to know now...
...I'm very proud.
Tell them the gear is down and we're ready to land.
The gear is now down.
And we're ready to land.
He may not be able to fly, but he's sure got guts.
Keep your heading steady on 0-9-0.
Increase you throttle setting to hold your airspeed.
Advance your prop control...
...so you're getting a reading of 2250 rpm on each engine.
Twenty-two fifty rpm.
He's still dropping. Just under 600.
Five fifty.
Five hundred.
Stryker, you're too low.
Still on 140.
Altitude steady at 500.
He's right on the heading.
All right, he's on final now.
Put out all the runway lights except Number 9.
Turn on your landing lights, Stryker.
Can you find the switch?
All right, listen carefully.
You should be able to see the runway at 300 feet.
Aim to touch down a third of the way along.
There's a crosswind from the right. Be ready.
If you land too fast, use emergency brakes. The red handle is right in front of you.
If that doesn't stop you, cut the four ignition switches over the copilot's head.
You see them, Ellen?
If I want them off it'll be in a hurry.
- Don't waste any time about it. - All right.
Now, Stryker, hold your present heading.
Put down full flap, bring your airspeed back to 110...
...adjust your trim, and start easing her down.
- Everything ready on the field? - As we'll ever be.
Give me altitude and speed.
Four hundred feet. Speed, 115.
Three fifty. Speed, 110.
Do you see us now? You should be able to see the field.
There he is.
Stryker, you're coming in too fast.
I know, I know. Keep watching.
Three hundred. Speed, 125. Three hundred. Speed, 130.
Stryker, now listen to me. You're coming down too fast.
Sound your alarm bell now.
All right, everybody get in the crash position.
Put your heads down. Everybody, put your heads down.
Now, let down, easy.
Watch your nose, it's too low. You're coming in too hot.
Remember you're brakes and switches. Get ready to flare it out.
You're coming in too fast.
Now ease her down. Down.
Lift the nose. Throttle back.
The brakes. Pull that red handle.
Cut the switches.
Hold her steady.
Everything's all right back here. Thanks to you.
And we're in time.
- Oh, thank God. - Thanks.
Stryker. Stryker, you all right?
- Okay. - Ted?
Ted, that was probably the lousiest landing in the history of this airport.
But there are some of us here, particularly me...
...that would like to buy you a drink and shake your hand.
We're coming over.