Top 5 Great Saves: There have been incredible instances in aviation history where pilots and flight crew members went above and beyond in saving dozens of lives through acts of heroism. These acts of near-miracles are not only a test of technical skill but also one of extraordinary coolness and judgment under pressure.

1. The Miracle on the Hudson – US Airways Flight 1549 (2009)

Within minutes of leaving New York’s LaGuardia Airport, Flight 1549 struck a cloud of geese and both engines shut down. Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger moved quickly to land the plane on the Hudson River instead of in the city, performing a close-to-perfect smooth water landing. His move saved all 155 passengers and crew members on board, making it one of the most historical emergency landings in history.

2. Air Canada Flight 143 – The Gimli Glider (1983)

Through a metric unit miscalculation of fuel, this Boeing 767 lost power in mid-air. With no engine thrust, Captain Bob Pearson piloted the aircraft to a soft landing on an unused runway in Gimli, Manitoba. It was such a soft landing that everyone escaped seriously injured, and the airplane flew again.

3. Qantas Flight 32 – Engine Explosion Prevented (2010)

After taking off from Singapore, an explosion in one of the engines on the Airbus A380 caused massive system failure. The crew of Captain Richard de Crespigny and he were able to get the plane under control and safely return to Singapore with clever coordination. Their composure and technical expertise preserved over 460 lives.

4. British Airways Flight 9 – Volcanic Ash Encounter (1982)

While flying over Indonesia, the aircraft flew into a volcanic ash cloud and silenced all four engines. Captain Eric Moody and his team were in control and managed to restart the engines when the plane was descending. Their actions made it possible for a safe landing in Jakarta with no loss of life.

5. TACA Flight 110 – A Masterclass in Dead-Stick Landing (1988)

Attacked by a fierce thunderstorm, the two engines lost power. Captain Carlos Dardano managed to glide the Boeing 737 and land it safely on a thin levee just outside New Orleans. Everyone survived, and the plane was later refurbished and flown again.

Also Read: Top 7 Movies on Plane Crashes Based on Real-Life Incidents

These heroic rescues bring home forcefully to us the extremely vital role played by human judgment and experience in maintaining safety in aviation.

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