Miracle On Mt. St. Helens: A 3-Part Series

We are excited to present this special 3-part Survival Story just for you, in our latest Aviation No Tie Downs series. Sharing the life-changing event of two pilots, Truman O’Brien and Craig Beles, who experienced what pilots prepare for and fear the most – a crash landing in hostile terrain.

Lightspeed was honored to have a chance to talk to them about their experience in great detail. They shared the decisions they were making at the time of the incident, the tools and skills they mustered to survive in a densely forested region in the mountains, and how search and rescue was able to reunite them with their families.

This 3-part series of Aviation No Tie Downs give you a look into this riveting story.

Be sure to watch the FULL story below!

Aviation No Tie Downs: We're going to put it in the trees

In the Spring of 2021, Truman O’Brien and Craig Beles, two pilots from Vashon Island, WA experienced what pilots prepare for and fear the most – a crash landing in hostile terrain. Listen to their story and learn more about the incredible decision-making skills they used as they rapidly descended to the forest floor.

Aviation No Tie Downs: Fly it through the crash and survival lessons

We pick up our story as the pilots’ plane rests right above the forest floor and learn what steps they took to guarantee their survival following their crash.

Aviation No Tie Downs: The rescue, community support, and lessons learned

In this third episode about Truman and Craig’s crash, join Executive VP and Aviation No Tie Downs host, Teresa De Mers, as she learns what happened with Search and Rescue and their efforts, and what was happening with their friends and family during this emergency situation.

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