25 Crazy Stories And Anecdotes About Pilots

Posted by , Updated on March 22, 2024

Ever dreamt of becoming a pilot as a child? The allure of the uniform, the coolness of striding through an airport, it’s appealing. However, there’s so much more to piloting than just the aesthetics. It’s a challenging role with a massive amount of responsibility. Pilots have the lives of all the passengers on board in their hands, needing to be ever vigilant and ready to handle various situations piloting a massive machine traveling at hundreds of miles per hour. Yet, piloting also has its rewards. It is a high paying job akin to the prestige accorded to doctors, lawyers, and engineers. Moreover, the role allows globe-trotting, visiting places that you could otherwise only dream of. You might be exploring Tokyo one week and New York City the next. It all seems quite exciting, right? As with anything, there are advantages and disadvantages to it; it simply depends on who you ask for their opinion. These are 25 wild stories and anecdotes about pilots!

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Featured Image: wikipedia

25

Nobuo Fujita was one of the only Japanese pilots to attack the mainland United States during World War II when he dropped a couple bombs over Oregon. He returned years later to present his family's sword as an apology and was even made an honorary citizen of the city of Brookings

Nobuo Fujita was one of the only Japanese pilots to attack the mainland United States during World War II when he dropped a couple bombs over Oregon. He returned years later to present his family's sword as an apology and was even made an honorary citizen of the city of BrookingsSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
24

In 2012, the pilot of an Air Canada plane mistook the planet Venus for another aircraft and initiated a steep dive. 16 people were injured because they bounced off the ceiling and the pilot almost hit another plane

In 2012, the pilot of an Air Canada plane mistook the planet Venus for another aircraft and initiated a steep dive. 16 people were injured because they bounced off the ceiling and the pilot almost hit another planeSource: abcnews.go.com, Image: wikipedia
23

Hugh Thompson, an Army helicopter pilot saved hundreds of Vietnamese villagers when he landed his helicopter between a village and his own fellow soldiers. He then threatened to open fire if the soldiers didn't leave the villagers alone

Hugh Thompson, an Army helicopter pilot saved hundreds of Vietnamese villagers when he landed his helicopter between a village and his own fellow soldiers. He then threatened to open fire if the soldiers didn't leave the villagers aloneSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
22

Phil Rasmussen was one of the few American pilots to shoot down a Japanese plane during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He was flying an obsolete plane in his pajamas

Phil Rasmussen was one of the few American pilots to shoot down a Japanese plane during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He was flying an obsolete plane in his pajamasSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
21

In 1997, Craig Button, pilot of an A-10 Thunderbolt II turned off his radio during training and flew hundreds of miles off course until he crashed into a Colorado mountainside. Nobody knows why.

In 1997, Craig Button, pilot of an A-10 Thunderbolt II turned off his radio during training and flew hundreds of miles off course until he crashed into a Colorado mountainside. Nobody knows why.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
20

Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek, served in WWII with a pilot named Kim Noonien Singh. Gene lost contact with Kim but named the villain in the Star Trek after Kim hoping that he would notice and get in touch

Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek, served in WWII with a pilot named Kim Noonien Singh. Gene lost contact with Kim but named the villain in the Star Trek after Kim hoping that he would notice and get in touchSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
19

In 1956, Thomas W. Attridge's jet was shot down during a test flight. It was later found that he had run into his own bullets that he had just fired.

In 1956, Thomas W. Attridge's jet was shot down during a test flight. It was later found that he had run into his own bullets that he had just fired.Source: check-six.com, Image: wikipedia
18

In 1953, No Kum-sok, a North Korean pilot defected to South Korea with his MiG-15. He received a $100,000 reward from the US military thanks to Operation Moolah. This operation was an American led effort to acquire a MiG aircraft.

In 1953, No Kum-sok, a North Korean pilot defected to South Korea with his MiG-15. He received a $100,000 reward from the US military thanks to Operation Moolah. This operation was an American led effort to acquire a MiG aircraft.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
17

During the Cold War, SR-71 blackbirds were tasked with flying over foreign ceremonies to create sonic booms when heads of state were greeting each other

During the Cold War, SR-71 blackbirds were tasked with flying over foreign ceremonies to create sonic booms when heads of state were greeting each otherSource: youtube, Image: wikipedia
16

Art Scholl, the pilot who did camera work for Top Gun died while filming when his plane couldn't recover from a flat spin

Art Scholl, the pilot who did camera work for Top Gun died while filming when his plane couldn't recover from a flat spinSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
15

In 1994, the pilot of an Aeroflot flight (593) let his son sit at the controls while it was flying from Moscow to Hong Kong. The boy turned off autopilot and sent the plane crashing into the side of a mountain

In 1994, the pilot of an Aeroflot flight (593) let his son sit at the controls while it was flying from Moscow to Hong Kong. The boy turned off autopilot and sent the plane crashing into the side of a mountainSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
14

In 1958, a pilot ejected from his F-106 when it entered a flat spin. He was surprised to see it come out of the spin and land itself in a cornfield. Today, the plane is known as the "cornfield bomber"

In 1958, a pilot ejected from his F-106 when it entered a flat spin. He was surprised to see it come out of the spin and land itself in a cornfield. Today, the plane is known as the "cornfield bomber"Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
13

Scott O'Grady, the real pilot on which the movie Behind Enemy Lines was based ended up suing Fox because they depicted him as a soldier who "disobeys orders and swears"

Scott O'Grady, the real pilot on which the movie Behind Enemy Lines was based ended up suing Fox because they depicted him as a soldier who "disobeys orders and swears"Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
12

12 cyanide pills were located in the cockpit of the Enola Gay. The crew was instructed to take these pills in case the bombing of Hiroshima went wrong

12 cyanide pills were located in the cockpit of the Enola Gay. The crew was instructed to take these pills in case the bombing of Hiroshima went wrongSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
11

In 2001, Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean) was in a plane with his family when the pilot passed out. Rowan took the controls and slapped the pilot until the pilot woke up.

In 2001, Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean) was in a plane with his family when the pilot passed out. Rowan took the controls and slapped the pilot until the pilot woke up.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
10

In 2009, two Northwest pilots lost their licenses when they overshot their destination by nearly 200 miles. They only realized their mistake when the flight attendant asked them about landing. Apparently they were both on their laptops

In 2009, two Northwest pilots lost their licenses when they overshot their destination by nearly 200 miles. They only realized their mistake when the flight attendant asked them about landing. Apparently they were both on their laptopsSource: washingtonpost, Image: wikipedia
9

Tex Johnson, a pilot who was demonstrating a Boeing 707 over Washington during the 1955 airshow, did a barrel roll. When the Boeing executive asked him "what the heck he was doing", he replied that he was "selling airplanes". He went on to do another barrel roll

Tex Johnson, a pilot who was demonstrating a Boeing 707 over Washington during the 1955 airshow, did a barrel roll. When the Boeing executive asked him "what the heck he was doing", he replied that he was "selling airplanes". He went on to do another barrel rollSource: harveyvid.com, Image: wikipedia
8

In 1994, a FedEx jet was hijacked by a disgruntled employee. In spite of the crew receiving multiple hammer blows the pilot managed to fly the plane in such a way as to keep the hijacker off balance. He even flew it upside down. Eventually the crew managed to stop the hijacker and land the plane.

In 1994, a FedEx jet was hijacked by a disgruntled employee. In spite of the crew receiving multiple hammer blows the pilot managed to fly the plane in such a way as to keep the hijacker off balance. He even flew it upside down. Eventually the crew managed to stop the hijacker and land the plane.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
7

Alexey Maresyev was a Russian pilot who was shot down by Germans in 1942. He crawled back to friendly territory for nearly 20 days through the snow. In spite of the fact that his legs had to be amputated. He then went on to fly over 80 more combat missions

Alexey Maresyev was a Russian pilot who was shot down by Germans in 1942. He crawled back to friendly territory for nearly 20 days through the snow. In spite of the fact that his legs had to be amputated. He then went on to fly over 80 more combat missionsSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
6

US pilot James Risner managed to nudge his friends ailing aircraft to friendly territory during the Korean War. He used the nose of his own plane, something that had never been tried before

US pilot James Risner managed to nudge his friends ailing aircraft to friendly territory during the Korean War. He used the nose of his own plane, something that had never been tried beforeSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
5

In 1959, a pilot ejected from his plane at 45,000 feet but flew straight into a thundercloud. The wind kept him airborne for 40 minutes and he had to even hold his breath so that he wouldn't drown

In 1959, a pilot ejected from his plane at 45,000 feet but flew straight into a thundercloud. The wind kept him airborne for 40 minutes and he had to even hold his breath so that he wouldn't drownSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
4

On 9/11, some fighter jets took off without any ammunition. The pilots knew that they may have to ram their jets into the hijacked airplanes and eject at the last minute

On 9/11, some fighter jets took off without any ammunition. The pilots knew that they may have to ram their jets into the hijacked airplanes and eject at the last minuteSource: washingtonpost.com, Image: wikipedia
3

During World War II, Franz Stigler, a German pilot, refused to shoot down a damaged Allied bomber. Instead, he escorted it back to the English Channel and saluted the American pilot. Following the war, the two pilots developed a lasting friendship

During World War II, Franz Stigler, a German pilot, refused to shoot down a damaged Allied bomber. Instead, he escorted it back to the English Channel and saluted the American pilot. Following the war, the two pilots later developed a lasting friendshipSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
2

During World War II, German pilots in Africa would attach coke bottles to the bottoms of their planes so that the coke would cool down and be ready to drink when they landed

During World War II, German pilots in Africa would attach coke bottles to the bottoms of their planes so that the coke would cool down and be ready to drink when they landedSource: drinkingcup.net, Image: wikipedia
1

In 1978, Frederick Valentich disappeared off the coast of Australia after describing a strange aircraft hovering over him. To this day no one is sure what happened

In 1978, Frederick Valentich disappeared off the coast of Australia after describing a strange aircraft hovering over him. To this day no one is sure what happenedSource: abc.net.au, Image: wikipedia