Hero pilot dies

New Zealand and Australian survivors of United Airlines Flight 811 are mourning the death of the captain who flew them to safety.

Pilot Dave Cronin has died at his Nevada home aged 81.

One survivor, Ben Mohide of Narooma, Australia said Cronin managed to get the stricken aircraft safely back to the airport at Honolulu.

Flight 811 - a Boeing 747 - suffered a sudden decompression due to a cargo door failure in flight on February 24, 1989 en route to New Zealand.

The resulting explosion blew out several rows of seats, killing nine passengers.

Many of the survivors stayed in touch with Cronin after the accident.

Hero pilot dies

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Monday, 11 October 2010

New Zealand and Australian survivors of United Airlines Flight 811 are mourning the death of the captain who flew them to safety.

Pilot Dave Cronin has died at his Nevada home aged 81.

One survivor, Ben Mohide of Narooma, Australia said Cronin managed to get the stricken aircraft safely back to the airport at Honolulu.

Flight 811 - a Boeing 747 - suffered a sudden decompression due to a cargo door failure in flight on February 24, 1989 en route to New Zealand.

The resulting explosion blew out several rows of seats, killing nine passengers.

Many of the survivors stayed in touch with Cronin after the accident.