TODAY Exclusive: Passenger-Turned-Pilot Details Miracle Landing

In an exclusive interview with TODAY’s Savannah Guthrie, Darren Harrison speaks out about the heroic moment he landed a plane despite not having any flight experience after the pilot fell unconscious from a medical emergency. Harrison describes his determination to survive for his wife and unborn child, and recalls thinking “I can’t die today. Today is not my day.”

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#Planes #Florida #DarrenHarrison

[brooklynforever]

This man’s composure is off the charts. Kudos to him!

[TangentOmega]

He didn't call his wife in the process of flying the plane because he was in the process of FLYING it, NOT CRASHING it!

[GizmoRob]

The pilot and owner of the plane is Harrison's good friend. Harrison has flown in this exact plane for over 7 years. Most of those times Harrison sat in the right seat. Over that period of time he learned and observed a lot about how this plane operates. Although Harrison is not a licensed pilot he is far from being a novice.

[mykee]

he is a frequent passenger and was observant. very good for him

[romonaelrod]

This guy and the flight instructor that helped him are heros. I would suggest that this man take some flight instruction, he seems like a natural pilot and it is good to know how to fly an airplane especially when you travel by airplane frequently.

[docholiday]

I can tell he'd make a good pilot. He stays cool, calm and collected under pressure. That's the mode you have to go into when a crisis occurs.

[A_Life_Worth_Living]

He’s so well spoken, intelligent and brave

[Charlie_x]

Pilot had a heart attack and he takes control of a diving one engine airplane and even lands it completely intact. 👏 my hat 🎩 off to you my friend

[BT-chgf]

This guy is the true definition of what it means to never give up.

[cdeeb]

This guy 100% should be a pilot! This is amazing and a true sign that he’s a natural pilot

[mombabygkaterad]

So glad they survived! “I can’t die today”. Priceless!

[OctPSfever]

This guy is so calm collected. Most ppl would get freak out...wow

[Jessalyn]

This guy is amazing really. He is very intelligent and showed unbelievable strength. He did everything right. Prayers to him and his family, the radio operator, and the pilot.

[yo-yowilliams]

His calmness is amazing. I think flight school might be in his future. I’d definitely fly with him.

[panam]

Great outcome - calm demeanor saved his life. Congrats, Mr. Harrison! Delighted that you landed the plane safely!

[txbre]

Wtf, people were seriously pressuring him
To call his wife when he’s trying to fly a plane?!?! He saved the life of everyone on board.

[wendywhite]

He did all the protocols to land the plane safely so everyone could survive you are an amazing man

[cll]

This absolutely made my day....what an uplifting story. It reminds me of another, a situation where an 80 year old woman landed a Beechcraft King Air, most definitely an aircraft that requires an experienced pilot, after her husband died at the controls. The landing wasn't perfect...the plane drifted off the runway and the nose gear collapsed resulting in heavy damage...but she was unharmed.

[alanluscombea]

I’ve had this happen to myself. I did grow up around aviation and my father is a pilot and I now have a pilots license but when I was 15 I was riding with an older man that was a family friend and he had a heart attack while we were flying. We called a mayday and I talked to the local atc and told them what was going on. I was able to land the airplane which was a Cessna 172. I will never forget that

[jsantos]

His life will change permanently for the better. Peace be with you