Movie |
New Zealand | Airplane
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Near the end of the movie, where Jay finally lands his airplane and everyone at the airport is cheering, the camera focuses on two men, one a bit taller than the other, hugging and slapping each other in celebration of Jay's landing. These are the real Jay and Gordon Vette, as this movie is based on a true story.
In the actual event, the light aircraft proceeded to Norfolk, under escort by the Air Force Rescue aircraft (which didn't turn back, as depicted in the film) and the DC-10 jet. The DC-10 then proceeded to Auckland, its original destination.
The movie was inspired by a real-life event which occurred on December 21 1978, and which involved Air New Zealand flight 103 (and not 308) on a DC-10 (and not a 767). The airliner captain's name (Gordon Vette) was preserved, but Jay's last name was changed from Prochnow to Parkins. Most other names were changed for the movie.
In real life, after Frank crashed on take-off from Pago Pago, Jay landed back in the airport to check on his friend and then resumed his journey. In the movie, Jay stays in the air even after the crash.
In the movie the light aircraft is first sighted by the passengers, after the search by the jet. In the actual event, the light aircraft eventually happened across an oil rig under tow, and was thus able to determine his position (the search happened as depicted, but was not actually successful.)
"[Vanessa Cross, the chief flight attendant, enters the flight deck] Gordon Vette: Ah, the new cabin boss! Have you guys met? This is Ross Mann, first officer, soon-to-be captain. Captain Warren Banks, relief pilot... Capt. Warren Banks: Welcome. Gordon Vette: Vanessa Cross. [Vanessa and Ross look at each other, and then she hands a paper printout to Gordon] Gordon Vette: You got the passenger list ready. Vanessa Cross: We've only 88 for the return flight. Plenty of room. First Officer Mann: And maybe we can pop in for a drink at Sydney on the way... Gordon Vette: Ross, soon-to-be captains don't hit on chief flight attendants. First Officer Mann: And why not? Vanessa Cross: Hey, Gordon! Mind your own business. [Ross and Gordon chuckle, Warren looks puzzled]"
"Gordon Vette: Ladies and gentlemen? Ladies and gentlemen! May I have your attention please? I'm Captain Vette. Don't be alarmed, there's nothing wrong with this plane. But, we do have a rather unusual circumstance here. We have received a distress call from an American pilot, flying a light plane somewhere in this area. His instruments have malfunctioned and he doesn't know where he is. He's lost. He's running out of fuel. But Pacific called us, and asked if we could assist him. Now, there's no danger to us. We have plenty of fuel. With your permission, I would like to try and find him. [pause] Enthusiastic Man: Well, let's go for it! Little Margaret: Mister Captain, how did he get so lost? Gordon Vette: Come here, darling. I'll try to show everybody. Now, you make believe that you're that little lost plane. How would you do that? [Margaret extends her arms as if she was an airplane] Gordon Vette: Terrific. Okay. Turn around. Now, you've been flying straight for hours. Hours and hours. And, a mean old crosswind comes up and tries to roll you away from your destination so... [pointing at Derek, a little boy] Gordon Vette: Come on, here, son. You play that mean old crosswind. You try to veer her off course. [Derek tries and pushes Margaret, but she resists] Gordon Vette: That a boy! But the pilot was smart. Bigger than t the crosswind. Flying against it. But he got fooled, because the crosswind suddenly stopped. [Derek stops pushing her, and Margaret starts veering to the left] Gordon Vette: The instruments on the pilot's craft didn't warn him. Now, the little plane was flying as hard as he could against nothing! What do you think happened? Little Margaret: He flew that way. Gordon Vette: That's right. And so he must be somewhere over there. Nervous Man: But, what was he doing out there, flying around without any navigation equipment? Gordon Vette: He has an instrument called Automatic Direction Finder, but it's malfunctioning. Enthusiastic Man: Oh yeah! Bloody mess! Gordon Vette: What do you say? Should we give it a try? [the children cheer] Gordon Vette: All right! Look out there, everybody! Gotta be somewhere! And thank you! [Gordon walks back to the flight deck] Vanessa Cross: Gordon, you are an old smoothie!"
