Passenger Lands King Air C90 after Pilot Medical Issue

A non-pilot-rated passenger in a King Air C90A landed safely on October 4 at Meadows Field Airport in Bakersfield after the pilot suffered a medical incapacitation event, according to an airport spokesman. The King Air touched down on Runway 12L, although it ran off the runway into a grassy area. An air traffic controller reportedly helped the passenger control the King Air and land. According to an FAA preliminary report, the pilot passed away.

According to FlightAware data, the King Air departed Henderson, Nevada—where it is registered to Su El Holdings—just after 11 a.m. PDT. Most of the flight took place at FL200, but at about 1 p.m. it diverted to Bakersfield, about 75 nm away.

Descending slowly, the King Air leveled off at about 1,500 feet and circled three times before lining up with Runway 12L. The final ADS-B record shows the King Air descending at 706 fpm at 140 knots groundspeed at 900 feet, then touching down at 1:40 p.m.