02x03 - Pilot Error

[bunniefuu]

STEVE: What's power?

HILL: Sixty percent.

STEVE Airspeed?

HILL: 160 knots.

STEVE: She's coming in too hot.

HILL: 145 knots.

Ah! She's stalling!

You're at decision height!

Still no runway. Full power.

Gear and flaps up.

It's going UP-

HILL: You're losing it!

[LOUD CRASH]

[LOUD BEEP]

COMPUTER VOICE:
Gentlemen, you have just crashed.

Freeze the gauges, please.

Well, now you know.

That's how it was that night coming
into Luke Air Force Base.

Except I was sitting where you are,
and the crash was real.

It just doesn't make sense.

At full power, Senator, there's no way
this airplane can stall at 140 knots.

But it did.

And I have a date with
a Board of Inquiry to explain why.

Come on, haven't you figured it yet?

It's got to be in the power curve.

If there'd been an engine out--

The number four engine was out,
and you didn't call it.

Exactly.

Why?

Because my co-pilot didn't call it
for me the night of the crash.

I see.

So that's why you wanted me to fly
the simulator before testifying.

I wanted you to experience
the whole thing from my point of view.

What about your co-pilot's point of view'?
Tom Jeffers was a first-class flyer.

Yes, he certainly was.

He'd be the first to admit
what happened.

It's too bad he can't.

Look, Colonel, I respected Tom.

I'm not trying to pass the blame
off on a dead man.

Of course, Senator.

Excuse me.

Colonel Austin!

I am telling you the truth, Colonel.

I don't doubt that, Senator.

But please forgive me
for feeling a little used.

That number four engine was out
before we hit the ground.

You'll see that confirmed
when you read the accident report.

But there's one thing that's
more important than any of that.

I am a United States Senator
and an Air Force Reserve Officer.

But above all things, I am a pilot.

When you're on reserve flying status,
you tend to be extra careful.

You prepare for those
six month proficiency flights.

And I was prepared.

Mentally and physically.

If Jeffers had said anything about
that bad engine, I would have reacted.

Can you believe that?

Look, Senator, I'm not your judge.

I happen to be the former
test pilot on that crate...

so they've called me back
as an expert witness.

I'll testify about the performance
of that plane, not the men inside it.

And I'll try and do that without
hurting anybody, okay?

Fair enough.

I'll see you at the airport in the morning.

Well, is he for us, or against us?

Austin is an honest man
who will tell the truth.

And I don't see how
the truth can hurt me, do you?

No. Of course not.

FLIGHT COM:
It's looks good at NASA One.

B-52 PILOT:
Roger.

BCS Arm switch is on.

FLIGHT COM:
Okay, Victor...

B-52 PILOT: Landing Rocket Arm switch is on.
Here comes the throttle.

Circuit breakers in.

STEVE:
We have separation.

B-52 PILOT:
Inboard and outboards are on.

I'm comin' forward with the side stick.

FLIGHT COM:
Look: good.

PILOT:
Ah, Roger.

STEVE:
I've got a blowout in damper three.

SR-71 PILOT:
Get your pitch to zero.

STEVE:
Pitch is out. I can't hold altitude!

B-52 PILOT: Correction. Alpha Hold is off.
Threat selector is emergency.

STEVE: Flight Com. I can't hold it!
She's breaking up! She's breaking--

ANNOUNCER:
Steve Austin. Astronaut.

A man barely alive.

We can rebuild him.

We have the technology.

We can make him better than he was.

Better, stronger, faster.

[MAIN TITLE THEME]

You really love that old bird,
don't you, Dad?

Yeah, I keep my fishing
gear stowed in the back.

Listen, can you keep a secret?

Yeah.

I flew her around
the pattern this morning.

Joe wouldn't like that.

Son, Joe does not run my life.

Senator! The reporters are ready.

[HORN HONKS]

Hi. What a coincidence.

Oscar, with you,
nothing is a coincidence.

What are you doing here in San Diego?

Getting a suntan.
What about you?

Well, an Air Force Staff car
was supposed to pick me up.

But I've got the feeling
that you've replaced him.

Hop in. I'll take you to the airport.

So, you're off to
Luke Air Force Base, eh?

Say, you're looking spiffy
in those dress blues there, pal.

Come on, Oscar, cut the small talk.

You flew all the way down here,
so it must be important.

It is important. I got a call last night.

From?

Human-museums;
luau-mm.

Oh? Just a casual conversation?

I'm very fond of the senator.

News around Washington is
he's gonna get a crack...

at the Vice Presidential
nomination next time around.

That is if he's cleared of this
Air Force inquiry.

Your testimony is going to
weigh very heavily, Steve.

Oscar, I'm going to testify
about c*ck procedure and that's all.

But you know more.

You flew the simulator yesterday.

You crashed the plane
the same way he did.

It might have been the same,
it might have been different.

All right, so why don't you give him
the benefit of the doubt?

Because if I'm not sure, I say so.

I'm peculiar that way.

Steve, why don't you give the man a break?

Turn left here, Oscar.

What?

Turn left or you'll miss the airport.

Oh, oh. Right.

Senator, do you feel this inquiry is an
attempt to embarrass you politically?

Oh no, not at all.

I was the Pilot in Command
on that tragic day.

This is my opportunity to prove...

that I lived up to the highest
traditions of that responsibility.

Thank you very much,
ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you.

Ed?

What's wrong?

Trouble. Foul up at
the Transport Command.

They may not have
a plane till late tonight.

Oh, that's ridiculous.

We'd be better off driving!

Eight hours?
No, I'll call Washington.

Hey, Gregg...

Come on.
Let's go out to the Navion.

Let's see What kind of charts
I've got in the c*ck.

Well, thanks for the ride, Oscar.

I'll try and forget the conversation.

This conversation is not over yet, Steve.

I asked you to give the guy a break.

I think you're entitled to know why.

The fact is, I owe Senator
Edward Hill and so do you.

How'?

Two years ago I needed
six million dollars...

for a very special project.

He ran that money through the
Senate Appropriations Committee...

with no questions asked because
he respected my need for secrecy.

To this day, he doesn't know
where that money went.

I see.

So I'm in the Senator's debt.

There's not much I can do about it.

Steve, just tell them about the simulator.

The accident could have happened
that way. They'll believe that.

I can't, Oscar. I don't believe it.

I'm afraid that's not good enough.

It'll have to be, because
I'm not gonna lie about it.

You don't have to lie.

Listen, I'm tired of asking you.
I'm telling you.

Is that like an order, Oscar?

You can take it any way you like.

Steve, what you don't understand
about government service is--

What's--? What's going--?

What're you doing? Listen.
You put this oar down right now, you hear?

Why'?

Because somebody will see us.

Oh, well then, my secret will be out
and the world will know...

and I won't have to take any
more orders from you, will I?

All right.

You win. Put the car down.

I'll try and forget we had
this conversation, Oscar.

It's like two, two and a half hours
to Luke Air Force Base.

How would you feel about flying
with your old man again?

Super. Do you have to ask?

No, I just-- It's nice to know
you still have faith in me.

How 'bout sitting in the right seat?
Make a flyer out of you yet.

No, I'll pass, Dad.

You are so good at everything you do,
I learned a long time ago...

not to compete with you.

Why do you think I'm going into pre-med?

I guess I just never thought about it, son.

Well, you've been busy.

Excuse me, General.

Sorry to interrupt.

I was wondering what's happened
to our transportation.

Looks like we don't have any.

Thinking about flying my own ship.

Greg, this is Colonel Steve Austin.

Steve Austin, the astronaut?

HILL: That's right.

He's a witness at the hearing too.

It's very nice to meet you, Colonel.
It's a pleasure.

Have you ever flown with my Dad?
Isn't he the greatest?

I'm sure he is, Greg.

Dad, here's the man
to fly right seat with you!

Sure, if he wants to.
How 'bout it, Colonel?

It suits me.

You're the only game in town.

LANNON: Ed!

Oh, Colonel.

Ed, Washington apologizes.

They'll have a C-133 here in two hours.

Well, you can eighty-six that,
we got our own transportation.

I'm flying the Navion.
Colonel Austin, too.

Well, now I don't think
that's a very good idea.

Joe, come on, now.
Don't argue.

Just get your bag, I'm gonna crank it up.

Fine, Senator, but...

could I speak to you for one moment?

Excuse me, gentlemen.

Here, let me put this in
the baggage compartment.

No.

Listen, Ed, this is really stupid.
I don't want you to fly.

You sound like a broken record.
You know that?

Will you give me one good reason
why I should not fly there myself?

Let's get the hearing
over with first.

Why take chances?
Your whole career is on the line.

Oh, you're afraid to fly with me.
Is that it?

Are you fit to fly, that's the question.

Now let go of it.

You've been selling me like an
old lady ever since that accident.

Right now, you're convincing Austin
that something's wrong here.

Joe, go get your bag,
and get in the airplane!

HILL: Clear and contact.

[ENGINE STARTS]

Lindbergh Ground,
this is Navion 4372 Kilo.

HILL: Taxi to takeoff
with the numbers, over.

CONTROLLER: Seven-two Kilo,
Lindbergh Ground.

Taxi to runway two-seven
and hold short.

Wind two-five-zero at seven.

HILL: Roger, seven-two kilo.

Lindberg Tower, Navion seven-two kilo
ready for takeoff.

CONTROLLER: Roger,
Seven-two Kilo, cleared for takeoff.

She's all yours.

No thanks. You go ahead.

Best flyin' airplane ever built.

I'm sure.

I didn't get too much sleep last night.
I'd just as soon relax.

CONTROLLER: Navion Seven-two Kilo,
are you rolling, sir?

Seven-two Kilo, on our way.

[ENGINE REVS]

HILL: Seven-two Kilo,
of?' the ground at one-miner.

Will you open my VFR flight plan
to Luke Air Force Base please, over.

CONTROLLER: Roger, 72 Kilo,
have a good trip, sir.

HILL: Roger, good day.

[FREQUENCY TUNING]

RADIO DJ: ...VSO in
San Diego plays music for you.

I think I'll put her on autopilot,
unless you wanna take her for a while.

No thanks. I think I'm going
to get some shut eye.

LEAR PILOT: San Diego
Approach Control'...

Lear Jet 304 inbound
from Luke Air Force Base.

I have an urgent pilot
weather report, over.

Lear 304, go ahead.

LEAR PILOT: Roger, just departed Buckeye
and the weather is going to pieces...

off toward Mexico.

Severe turbulence and massive
thunderhead build-up.

Thought you better let
the boys know, over.

Roger 304, understand.

We have one departure
and will advise.

I still have him in sight.

CONTROLLER: Navion 4372 Kilo,
this is Lindberg Tower, over.

[ LIGHT JAZZ PLAYS ]

Try the Omni frequency.

Navion 4372 Kilo, Lindbergh Tower.

I have an urgent Pilot Advisory.

Come in please.

I say again, I say again.

I have an urgent Pilot Advisory.

Come in please.
Come in, please.

[ERRATIC BEEPING]

"Scattered clouds," they said.

Buckeye VOR
this is Navion seven-two Kilo.

CONTROLLER: Navion seven-two Kilo,
Buckeye Radio.

I am...

I am...

about twenty miles southwest...

VFR to Luke...

I'm having marginal weather.

Is Luke still open?

CONTROLLER: Seven-two Kilo, stand by.

[OMINOUS MUSIC]

CONTROLLER: Seven-two Kilo,
Buckeye Radio.

Luke is still VFR...

but severe thunderstorm activity
is developing along your route.

Suggest you detour north
and file an instrument plan.

COLE: Sabre eight-niner Romeo...

you are cleared for visual approach,
runway three-two-zero.

You're early, Jill.

Oh, am I?

Mmm-hmm. Don't worry, though.
After the third day, the thrill wears off.

This is only my second day.

Okay, it's all yours.
Just one target.

Should be an easy shift.

Weather's so bad to the south,
everyone's avoiding the area.

[BEEPING]

Two targets.

Mmm?

I wonder if he knows he's
headed right into the weather.

Probably just looking
for a place to set down.

But he's flying south,
right off the scope.

Nothing but badlands
and mountains there--

Listen, you just take care
of the military traffic.

Leave Sunday pilots to the FAA.

Okay, little mother?

Okay.

[BEEPING]

Major Philips, please.

[ERRATIC BEEPING]

[THUNDER]

[THUNDER]

How'd we get into this?

I can handle it.

You still got the autopilot on.

Autopilot can't handle rough air.

Disengage it.

Did you get a clearance?

What?

An instrument clearance!
You've lost VFR.

Good idea. Contact Center.

We'll pick a radar steer to Luke.

What's our position?

I... I'm not sure. Check it.

[ERRATIC NOISE]

Somethings crazy.

What?

You're a hundred miles off course!

Air Route Center, this is
Navion 4372 Kilo, do you read?

STEVE: Navion 4372 Kilo
calling Air Center, do you read?

[ STATIC ]

The lightning might have
fouled up the transmitter.

You better hang a one-eighty
while there's still time!

[ENGINE ROARS]

[THUNDER]

HILL: My God, it's moved in behind us.

We'll have to go through it.

Hang on, it's going to get rough.

Wow.

We popped the line.

Throttle back!
Check the line to the pressure gauge.

[STEVE SCREAMS ]

Greg, help him.
We're going down.

Mayday, Mayday, Mayday.

This is Navion 4372 Kilo.

Any station, any station!
Come in please!

Colonel Austin, let me take a look at that.

I'm fine. Help your father.

Stand by the gear handle!

[ENGINE SPUTTERS]

Altitude?








[ENGINE SPUTTERS]

Gear down!

Hang on.

God knows where we are.

But we're alive.

Colonel, you all right?

Oh, everything's peachy,
Senator, just peachy.

Except I've got this little problem.

What's that?

I can't see.

[DESERT WIND BLOWS]

GREG: All right now,
I flushed them out the best I could.

The right eye's badly inflamed
and there's hardly any pupil.

The left eye, well,
it's totally discolored.

Is it artificial?

Yes.

Feeling any better now'?

Yeah. Much better.

You'd make somebody
a terrific doctor, Greg.

Well, there's not much
in this kit to work with.

Now if you had snake bite,
I could have really shown you some moves.

How 'bout it, Doc.

You think it's just temporary?

Sure! Look, I read once--

Look, Colonel, how do I know?

All I know for sure is
that you need a real doctor.

And you need him soon.

Well? What are our chances?

A hundred degrees and no water?
Not too good, Joe.

I don't suppose it really matters.

You've blown it anyway.

I've worked for 20 years
to get you on top...

and you blow it because you can't
keep your hands off airplanes.

I mean, women I'd understand--

Come on, Joe, we're not dead yet.

A crash landing is not the end
of the world.

It may be, pal.

This time they can prove
you shouldn't have been flying.

Now don't go into that.

I'm perfectly fit and you know it.

Sure, you passed your Air Force physical
and your insurance physical.

But you didn't tell them about
the specialist you went to, did you?

I got over that, Joe.

It was a passing thing.

Are you sure'?

Look Joe, why go over old ground?

Let's just concentrate
on getting out of here alive.

After that we can patch up anything.

Sorry, it's not going to be
so easy this time.

This time you've got
a national hero on your hands.

He's going to be some witness, Ed.

When he's finished with you...

you'll be out of flying, out of politics
and anything in sight.

All right, Joe. But what's
the point of discussing it now?

No point.
Just give it some thought.

How are you?

Well, I've been better, Senator.

Any sign of air rescue?

No, at least not yet.

Well, do you want to give
it to me straight?

All right, straight.

We're 100 miles off course in the middle of
nowhere without a transmitter or an E.L.T.

I'm afraid we're just gonna
have to wait till they find us.

How long will that take?

I don't know, son.

That storm we came through...

it could be tomorrow before
they can even start a search.

Dad, he needs a doctor now.

Son, I -- I don't know what we can do.

Senator, why don't we fly out?

Flying out? In the Navion?
No way.

Why not?

Well, for one thing, the oil line's broken.

Can't you fix that?

Yes, I can fix that,
but the prop, it's bent.

Okay. Oil line, bent prop.
What else?

What else? Nothing on the plane.

But we'd have to clear
rock and brush for a take-off strip.

Fine.

Senator, I'll tell you what I'll do.
I'll make you a deal.

You check that oil line,
I'll have a go at that prop.

Colonel, that prop is bent almost double.

Come on, Greg.
Guide me over there.

Put my hand on the blade.

The switch off?

Switch is off.

[METAL CREAKING]

[METAL CREAKING]

How's that, Senator? Is it straight?

How did you do that?

Senator, two years ago you got Oscar
Goldman six million dollars...

for a secret project.

I was that project.

But the strength in your arm--

They gave me some
expensive new parts.

It comes in handy sometimes for,
like, repaying Oscar's old debts.

How much runway we need for takeoff?



Greg, mark off 600 feet windward,
put a marker there.

Will do!

Senator, you better get
started on that oil line.

Where's Lannon?

Here.

Come on, guide me out of here.
We've got some rocks to move.

All right, let's take five minutes!

I can't believe this.

Knocking ourselves out
to get him out of here.

So he can bust up both of us.

Well, it does seem
all backwards, doesn't it?

We ought a be figuring
a way to leave him here.

Joe--

Well, it would be a solution.

Easy to explain.
We could say he died in the crash.

Are you out of your mind?

Listen, Ed, I've got a lifetime
invested in you.

No.

You just pull yourself together.

Come on, Joe.

Colonel Austin?
I think I need you on this one.

Well, lead me to it, Lannon.

Come on, now.
A little to the left. Left. Left.

Straight ahead now.
That's right.

[HISSES]

[SCREAMS ]

Ah! Help!

Greg! Greg!

All right, I got most of the
venom out, but I can't be sure.

He needs a hospital
or he'll be dead by tonight.

Let's get him
into the plane.

We can't... the runway's not finished.
It's not long enough!

You'll have to try.

We'll be heading into weather.

That's right.

Colonel, I'm not sure.
What if I can't?

Like I said, Senator,
you're still the only game in town.

Come on, Dad.

You can do it.

Anytime, General.

[OMINOUS MUSIC]

Course, zero zero five,
speed, one-three-niner.



[BEEPING]

Anything new, Jill?

No, sir.

Mr. Goldman from the O.S.l.
has just arrived, Jill.

PHILLIPS: This is the controller
I was telling you about.

She's put the pieces together
after the first contact.

That was several hours ago...

and the blip disappeared
right off the scope?

Right, sir, traveling south.

We've had no further
contact since then.

How soon can we start searching?

Not until this weather clears.

We'll just have to wait, sir.

Well, that's what we'll do, then.
We'll wait.

Thanks, Jill.
I'll send your relief up here.

If it's all the same, Major,
I'd like to stay on.

I mean, maybe something
will show up. Who knows?

I like your style.

I'll do the same thing.

Yes sir, suit yourself.

[BEEPING]

JILL: I have something.
I have contact.



Keep tracking. I'll get the Major.

Colonel Austin, help me.

What's wrong?

I dropped the mike.

Couldn't have gone far.
Check around your seat.

[GASPING]

Did you find it?

General?

Greg! What's happening!

We're diving!

Tell me when we're level!

Now.

What's wrong with my father?

Greg, help me,
where's the auto-pilot?

He's dead! I think he's dead!

Greg, listen! Put my hand
on the autopilot or we'll all be dead!

Come on.

[CLICKS]

Are we level?

GREG: Yes.

All right, now stay with me.
Help me get into the left seat.

We gotta move your father.
Come on.

[BEEPING]

JILL: Navion 4372 Kilo,
this is Luke Approach Control.

Where is it?

There. Thirty miles out.

Radio contact?
No answer.

And another thing,
they've changed course several times.

There's something very
strange going on up there.

[SHATTERS ]

He's alive, Colonel.
He's breathing.

Good.

Now you're going to have to be
my eyes, Greg, understand?

Yes, sir.

All right. Here's the
emergency receiver.

It should still be set on 121.5.

GREG: Yeah. It is.

Here, this is the transponder.

Set up the numbers
seven-seven-zero-zero.

STEVE: And let's hope someone
bright is watching that scope.

[FAST BEEPING]

JILL: We have a change,
we have a transponder change.

Aircraft is now squawking emergency
seven-seven hundred code.

That means they have no transmitter.

Aircraft on emergency code...

this is Luke Approach Control
on one-two-one point five.

JILL: If you read,
press your ident button.

Lady, you are the sweetest
voice in the world.

[ BUZZES ]

Roger, we copy your ident.

We assume you are Navion 4372 Kilo.

If affirmative, ident once more.

Roger, seven-two Kilo,
we've been expecting you.

Your position now fifteen
miles south-east of the field.

Turn left to approach
heading three-four-zero.

GREG: Three-five-zero...

Three-four-zero.

We should be level.

GREG: We are.

Okay. Now let's tell 'em the bad news.

What are you doing?

Communicating, I hope.

[ BUZZES ]

OSCAR: What's wrong?
Why is it flashing?

Wait.

Short, long, short.
It's code. It's Morse code!

Seven-Two Kilo, we appear to be receiving
Morse Code message from you.

Please begin transmission again,
we are standing by to copy.

Good girl.

P...I...L...

Pilot...Austin...

cannot... see.

Cannot see. What do you mean?
You mean he's blind?

Non...pilot...

will... assist.

Need...your...help.

My God, he is blind.

JILL: Roger, Seven-Two Kilo,
we understand your problem.

We'll do everything we can
to help you, Colonel.

Seven-Two Kilo, seven miles south-east.

Descend to two thousand.

[SIRENS WAIL]

GREG: Twenty-eight hundred.

Twenty-five hundred.

That's too fast.

JILL: Seven-Two Kilo,
six miles southeast at two-thousand.

Turn left to three-zero-zero,
and begin standard rate descent.

JILL: You are cleared for radar approach.

Runway is three-two-zero.

Wind is calm,
measured ceiling, 900 feet.

What's the descent rate?



That's too much.

JILL: Seven-Two Kilo, five miles out.

Come right to three-two-zero.

Whoa, that's it. That's it.

[BEEPING]

JILL: Seven-Two Kilo, you are too low,
add power please.

You're turning.

JILL: Seven-Two Kilo. Three miles out.
Come right five degrees.

Hey, right wing up.

Seven-two Kilo...

two miles out,


Looking good.
Left five degrees.

JILL: Hold it.

She feels mushy.
What's our air speed?

Sunny.

Watch me on that.
She'll stall on us.

Seven-Two Kilo, 600 feet,
you are one mile from the runway.

Emergency vehicles standing by.

They're only going to
get one try at this.

Seven-Two Kilo, you should be breaking
through the overcast momentarily.

You are on course, on glideslope.

Standing by, and good luck, sir.

STEVE: Greg, when we
break out of the clouds...

line me up with the runway.

Level me out at about ten feet.

We'll start pulling off power...

then we'll pull the nose up...

just before we touch down.

When we hit and roll,
keep giving me directions. Okay?

Okay.

OSCAR: I see them.
There they are.

There's the runway.

A little left.

That's enough. Straighten it.

You're coming in a little low.

You're drifting left.

You're about to touch down.

Nose up.

[SIREN WAILS]

You did it.

No, we all did it, Greg.

Clean bill of health, Colonel,
thanks to that boy and what he did.

Cleansing the eye like that,
keeping the light out of it.

You owe your sight to him.

I know that, Doc.

I'm sorry I couldn't help
you with the left eye.

It's a little out of my line.

Thank you, Doctor.
We have a specialist in mind.

Thanks again, Doctor.

Sure.

How is he?

Don't know yet.
It is a brain tumor.

The doctors haven't determined
whether it's malignant or not.

But he's not waiting
to use it as a cop out.

What do you mean?

Last week he resigned...

from the Air Force
and the Senate.

Pretty gutty thing to do.

I think so. Come on.

Hello, Edward.

Oscar.
- Greg.

Good luck, sir.

That's very kind of you,
Colonel.

There are men who
wouldn't shake my hand.

If that's true, General,
they're men who don't know you.

Thank you.

But no more of that General.
Just plain old Ed Hill now.

Lucky to be alive.
I thank you for that.

Thank him.

Oh, I have the rest of my life to thank him,
but you I may not see again.

And you're a very special man.

Best thing I ever did was
get Oscar that six million.

General, the best thing
you ever did was raise a son.

You're right.

Goodbye, sir.

Goodbye, Greg.

Good-bye, Colonel.

I'll catch up with you.
-All right.

Colonel Austin?

Colonel Austin?

That's right.
- I thought so.

I know we've never really met, exactly...

but I just couldn't pass by
without saying hello.

Airman Denby.

Nice to meet you, Airman.

Are you all right now?

Yeah, I think so.

Denby, you sure we haven't
met somewhere before?

Well, not really.

If you'll excuse me, I have to go.
I have to get over to the tower.

The tower?

Tower! Hey, Denby!

[END THEME MUSIC]