The NBAA presented its Above and Beyond Award for Heroic Achievement to FAA Air Traffic Controller Robert Morgan. The presentation took place on Oct. 19 during the NBAA-BACE.
While Morgan was on duty at Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) on May 10, a passenger onboard a Cessna 208 Caravan contacted the tower to report the plane’s pilot had suffered a debilitating medical issue. The plane was on a return flight from the Bahamas.
“I’ve got a serious situation here,” the passenger, Darren Harrison, said. “My pilot has gone incoherent [and] I have no idea how to fly the airplane.”
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Morgan had zero time in the Caravan but was a pilot and flight instructor with approximately 1,200 flight hours. He referenced a photo of the single-engine turboprop’s flight deck to help guide the passenger’s operation of the aircraft. With Morgan’s instructions, Harrison safely maneuvered toward PBI, descended toward the runway, and made a safe landing.
“Robert Morgan’s quick-thinking, professionalism, situational awareness, and calm demeanor were instrumental in successfully managing a critical emergency situation, saving all three people onboard from injury and allowing the incapacitated pilot to receive timely medical care,” NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said. “For his actions that day, we are pleased to present Robert with our 2022 NBAA Above and Beyond Award.”
The award recognizes individuals whose substantial actions avoided injury, loss of life, or catastrophic business aircraft damage. First given out in 2020, the NBAA Safety Committee created the award to emphasize the importance of “stick-and-rudder” flying skills as business aircraft flight decks become increasingly automated.
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