F-16 Leads Civilian Aircraft Out Of Trouble

Usually, when a GA aircraft driver sees an F-16 off his wing, it means trouble. Chances are, he's busted some last-minute TFR and the F-16 means there's going to be a day of reckoning (at least one) upon landing. But in the case of an anonymous C-172 pilot, the Falcon was the most welcome sight he'd ever seen.

The Flint Journal reports the Cessna 172 was flying in IMC out of Bishop Airport when it lost all but engine power. There were three people on board -- a man, a woman and a child. The woman grabbed her cell phone and called 911. The first time, she was disconnected. The second time, she got in touch with Genesee County dispatcher Danielle Prince.

The woman told Prince that the aircraft needed help getting under the clouds. She contacted Bishop, which in turn, contacted the 127th Fighter Wing of the Michigan Air National Guard.

The 127th had two F-16s in the air on a training mission when they got the call on Saturday. Nancy Guy, spokeswoman for the Michigan Air National Guard at Selfridge ANGB near Detroit, said one of the Falcons closed to within visual range and was able to "actually [get] eye contact with the Cessna. From there, the fighter was able to lead the 172 to a break in the clouds, allowing it to get underneath without further incident.

"I stayed on the line with the woman and Bishop in a three-way call," said Prince. "We got to see them fly in right over us. It felt awesome to get them on the ground safely."

FMI: www.miself.ang.af.mil/directory/127.htm