Flug in Gefahr (1964)

George Spencer urgently needs to travel on business from Winnipeg to Vancouver, but unfortunately the scheduled flight is completely booked. Luckily, he finds a seat on a charter plane operated by the fictional airline Maple Leaf Air Charter, which immediately sets off in a DC-4 on its five-hour overnight flight. When dinner is served, he and his seatmate, Dr. Frank Baird, choose lamb rather than the alternative, halibut. Two hours later, many of the passengers who chose fish complain of stomach pains and nausea. As the only doctor on board, Dr. Baird diagnoses dangerous fish poisoning, but there is nothing he can do to treat it. It turns out that the pilot and co-pilot also ate the fish, and they lose consciousness shortly afterward. The only person on board who might still be able to fly and land the large four-engine aircraft is George Spencer himself. However, he had flown only single-engine fighter planes, and even that was more than ten years ago. With no other choice, Spencer takes over the task of flying the plane and contacts air traffic control in Vancouver by radio. Experienced pilot Captain Treleaven is summoned to the control tower and takes on the task, over the radio, of instructing Spencer in how to operate the large aircraft. Flight attendant Janet is assigned the necessary duties of the co-pilot, as well as operating the radio. After getting familiar with how the aircraft works and its sluggish handling, they begin the landing approach. Treleaven explains in detail the steps required for landing, and Spencer carries them out. Gradually, he gets a feel for the aircraft. At last, he manages to bring it down on the runway at Vancouver Airport and, despite skidding, bring it to a stop. No passengers are injured. Captain Treleaven says over the radio: “That was probably the worst landing in this airport’s history. (…) But nevertheless, there are some people here who would like to shake your hand.”