On April 12, 2009, a Beech B200 turboprop (N559DW) was landed uneventfully by a pilot-rated passenger at Fort Meyers, Florida. The flight began from Marco Island, Florida. Shortly after the certificated airline transport pilot completed the climb checklist, the owner, who was a single-engine priavte pilot and sitting in the right seat, noticed that the pilot's head was down and both hands were at his sides. As the airplane continued to climb through 6000 feet, the owner attempted to get the pilot's attention but he made an audible sound which increased in intensity, and the pilot's right hand fell off his thigh. The pilot did not make any further sounds. The owner declared an emergency, and advised the controller that he needed to speak to someone familiar with the Beech B200.
The Beech B200 is a twin-turboprop transport and utility aircraft with a flight deck that seats a crew of two and is fitted with dual controls although it can be flown by a single pilot. The B200 has a service ceiling of 35000 feet and a cruise speed of 290 knots (about 330 MPH) at 25000 feet. While in contact with Miami Center, the flight continued climbing on a on a northerly heading to about 17000 feet. Communications were then transferred to Fort Meyers Approach Control who helped the owner through the process of disengaging the autopilot, initiating a descent, and with heading changes.
Communications were then transferred to Fort Myers Approach Control. While in contact with Approach, the controller helped the owner with vectors toward Fort Meyers (KRSW), and details about the landing gear, flaps, power levers, and airspeed settings. Fortunately weather was not a problem (i.e., VMC), and finally the flight was vectored for a 15-mile final for RWY 6. The owner landed uneventfully, and taxied onto a taxiway where the engines were secured.
Click here to listen to the audio between the pilot and the controller during this emergency.
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Source: NTSB #ERA09IA240
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