FlightFollowerLost Glasses mid-flight | Visually Impaired pilot guided by ATC for Landing
A Problem the Pilot Could Not Solve Alone
On 18 February 2024, Grumman Tiger N47PG was operating under VFR near Philadelphia when the pilot lost his eyeglasses in flight. Without them, his ability to see clearly was severely reduced. He contacted Philadelphia Approach and asked for assistance rather than attempting to continue the approach without reliable visual information.
A Deliberately Simple Handoff
Controller Brian Bernhardt provided radar vectors and vertical guidance. Because another frequency change would have added workload, the pilot was handed directly to tower controller Jason Wilson. Wilson then used what he could see from the tower to coach the pilot toward Runway 9R. The aircraft was eventually aligned with the runway lights and landed safely.
Finding the Glasses After Landing
The difficulty did not end at touchdown. The pilot initially had trouble distinguishing the follow-me vehicle from the surrounding airport lights. He eventually reached a taxiway and found his eyeglasses. NATCA later recognized Bernhardt and Wilson for the handling of the event.
Accident Facts
- Date
- 18 February 2024
- Aircraft
- Grumman Tiger
- Registration
- N47PG
- Location
- Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Flight rules
- VFR
- Outcome
- Safe landing
“I just somehow knocked my glasses off my face, and I can’t find them.”