Rest in Peace Dennis Fitch

On May 6, 2012, pilot Dennis Fitch passed away. The article, from KTIV News 4, is below.

Pilot Onboard United Flight 232 Loses Battle with Cancer

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) - One of the pilots credited with getting United Airlines Flight 232 to Sioux City has died of cancer.

Fitch learned he had brain cancer in 2010. His wife, Rosa, says Fitch died Sunday night. Fitch's funeral is on Sunday in Saint Charles, Illinois.

Denny Fitch is survived by his wife, Rosa, as well as three children, two stepchildren, 10 grandchildren and those still living among the 184 people who were pulled alive from the wreckage of Flight 232.

For those of you familiar with commercial aviation accidents, Captain Dennis "Denny" Fitch, Sr. is a man of legend. On July 19, 1989, United Airlines Flight 232, a DC-10, suffered a catastrophic failure of its tail-mounted engine, which led to the loss of all flight controls. Without the use of those flight controls, Denny was able to pilot the aircraft by the use of differential throttle adjustment [read: using the power from the remaining two engines] to steer the aircraft to a crash-landing at Sioux Gateway Airport, in Sioux City, Iowa. Of the 296 souls on board, 185 people survived. Prior to this incident there had never been a recorded survivable loss of flight controls accident. After the crash, in which he was injured, he returned to flying duties with United Airlines.

Below is Denny being interviewed about the accident and is one of the best interviews of a commercial pilot that I've ever seen. In it he chronologically details the accident from his own perspective with regard to the fear, the situation, and his own personal feelings. Don't worry if you're not very knowledgeable on the technical aspects of flying as he does a very good job in explaining every detail. The video below is one of six parts, so I've included the links for the other five below.

Part 2: Click here
Part 3: Click here
Part 4: Click here
Part 5: Click here
Part 6: Click here

My sincere condolences go out his family and to those whose life was affected by such an amazing man. Thank you for all you have done for our industry; Your legacy of improving aviation safety continues to live on.

"If you ever find a moment in time where you think your end is near you will think of the people you love and you will ask the question 'Where am I?' and I hope you have a good answer." - Dennis Fitch