**Pilot Makes Tragic Mistake On Thanksgiving Flight!**

In a heart-wrenching Thanksgiving tragedy, a pilot and his wife lost their lives just moments before landing in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, after a series of critical misjudgments. Joe, a seasoned pilot with over 1,400 flight hours, was flying his wife Patty to visit family when disaster struck less than a mile from the runway.

On November 19, 2022, the couple took off from St. Louis Downtown Airport, anticipating a joyful holiday reunion. However, as they approached their destination, Joe reported engine trouble, stating that one engine was “not making as much power as the other.” Despite this alarming warning, he was cleared to land on Runway 4, but confusion set in when he insisted on attempting to land on the wrong runway, Runway 33.

Witnesses reported that the aircraft was dangerously low, skimming treetops as it veered left, moments before it crashed into a residential backyard, 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ing both Joe and Patty instantly. Investigators later discovered that a small piece of plastic contamination had caused a catastrophic fuel flow issue in the right engine, leading to its failure.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that Joe’s delayed reaction to feather the propeller after realizing the engine had failed contributed to the crash. He was just 300 feet above ground when he requested a right turn, a move that would tragically become his last communication.

This devastating incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of situational awareness and decision-making in aviation, particularly during high-pressure scenarios. Friends and family of the couple are left mourning a loss that should never have happened, highlighting the fragility of life, especially during the holiday season.