BUTTE — A young Helena woman who’s training to be a pilot in Butte had a harrowing experience recently when she had engine trouble while flying a small plane, but her skill and a cool head allowed her to land safely.
“Student pilot solo: I don’t think I have my engine. Zero Seven Quebec?” Claire Bebich said to the control tower.
“Zero Seven Quebec: Say again,” the control tower responded.
“I don’t have my engine, Zero Seven Quebec. I’m going down,” she said.
With that call to the control tower on April 15th, 18-year-old student pilot Claire Bebich made the quick decision to land the Cessna she was flying in a field near Helena.
John Emeigh reports - watch the video here:
“My engine failed on takeoff about 500 feet above the ground. I was by myself, so I made the decision to land in the field for my safety and others,” Bebich said.
Her flight instructor doesn’t buy Claire’s casual description of what happened.
“Claire’s being really, really, really humble. What she did was amazing,” said Madelyn Mitchell, Butte Aviation Lead Instructor.
Without engine power at that low altitude, Claire could not return to the runway.
She was able to land in a field without damaging her plane.
“Losing your engine on takeoff is the worst possible place to lose your engine. You have no opportunities, no outs, and nothing but your own skill to keep you safe and she did that,” Mitchell said.
Claire credits her flight trainer for preparing her for emergencies.
“I don’t think it’s hit me yet that I’ve done it. People have congratulated me and said I did really well, but I don’t know, it’s just training,” Bebich said.
She’s preparing to get her certification soon.
