1985 Rescue – Man Repairs Plane Gear from Speeding Car
On March 12, 1985, in St. Augustine, Florida, pilot Scott Gordon faced a life-threatening emergency while flying a Piper Turbo Arrow. His right landing gear was jammed and wouldn’t deploy, risking a crash landing. Instead of panicking, Gordon and his ground team came up with an extraordinary plan to fix the gear midair using a speeding car.
As Gordon flew just ten feet above the runway, mechanic Joe Lippo stood through the sunroof of a car racing at over 90 mph and manually pulled the stuck gear free. The daring maneuver succeeded, allowing Gordon to land safely and turn a potential disaster into a legendary aviation story.
Via Reddit
The success was no accident; Gordon’s background in stunt flying and air shows gave him the precision needed for such a dangerous operation. His team, including pilot Jim Moser, who drove the car, and Rhett Radford, who kept Lippo steady, demonstrated perfect coordination and trust. This incredible event remains one of aviation’s most remarkable examples of courage and teamwork.
Background on the People Involved
Scott Gordon was no beginner in the sky. He had spent years as a stunt pilot in air shows, performing flips and low passes that thrilled crowds. On that day in 1985, he was test-flying the Piper Turbo Arrow after some work had been done on it. Gordon was calm under pressure, a trait that came from his air show background. He later went on to fly big jets for airlines like American and Southwest.
Via St. Augustine Record
He retired in 2017 after logging thousands of hours in the air. His experience helped him stay focused when things went wrong. Jim Moser was Gordon’s friend and fellow air show pilot. Moser was on the ground when the problem started. He had done similar stunts before, like landing small planes on moving trucks with his father.
This gave him the idea for the rescue. Moser drove the Audi car during the fix, keeping it steady at high speed. His quick mind and driving skills were vital. Joe Lippo was the tall mechanic, about 6 feet 4 inches, who did the actual reaching. Friends called him “the Hulk” because of his strength. Lippo had to stretch out of the sunroof and grab the stuck gear.
Via Piper Owner Society
Rhett Radford was another mechanic in the car, holding Lippo’s legs to stop him from falling. These men were not looking for fame; they just wanted to help their friend land safely. The airport in St. Augustine was a busy place back then, now called the Northeast Florida Regional Airport. It was home to small planes and air show practices. The team worked for Aero Sport Inc., a company that dealt with aircraft.
What Caused the Landing Gear Problem
Landing gear is the part of a plane that lets it touch down and roll on the ground. In the Piper Turbo Arrow, it’s retractable, meaning it folds up during flight to make the plane faster. On that day, Gordon took off without issue. But when he tried to lower the gear for landing, the right wheel stayed stuck in its spot. He checked the lights in the cockpit; only two out of three turned on, showing something was wrong.
Via Grupo One Air
The cause was a simple but tricky issue: a bolt that held the gear strut to the door got jammed. This stopped the wheel from dropping down. Gordon tried everything from the air, like cycling the gear up and down. Nothing worked. If he landed without it, the plane could skid, flip, or catch fire. Belly landings are risky for both the pilot and the aircraft.
Fuel leaks or sparks could make things worse. Gordon had enough fuel to circle for about an hour, giving the team time to think. In aviation, gear problems are not rare, but they usually get fixed with tools on the ground after a safe stop. Here, the team chose a different path because they had the skills from air shows. They knew the plane could fly low and slow, matching the speed of a vehicle below.
Via hydro aero
Coming Up with the Daring Plan
While Gordon circled overhead, Moser and the others brainstormed on the ground. First, they thought about a belly landing with fire trucks ready. But that could damage the plane badly. Moser remembered stunts where planes landed on moving trucks. He suggested using a flatbed truck to drive under the plane, but tests showed it was too slow.
They switched to Moser’s Audi, the fastest car there. The plan was simple but wild: drive down the runway at high speed while Gordon flew the plane low above it. Lippo would stand through the sunroof and pull the gear down by hand. Radford would hold him steady. They practiced with another plane to check heights and speeds. The airport tower cleared the runway and sent fire trucks just in case.
Via Houston Public Media
Gordon radioed that he was ready. He had to keep the plane steady at about 90 miles per hour, wings level, just feet above the ground. One wrong move, and it could crash into the car. The team trusted their skills. Lippo later said he worried about the plane dropping or hitting him, but he focused on the task.
How the Rescue Unfolded
The first try with the truck failed because it could not go fast enough. Gordon had to pull up and circle again. Then came the car. Moser gunned the Audi down the runway, hitting over 90 miles per hour. Gordon brought the plane down low, about 10 feet up, matching the speed. Lippo poked out of the sunroof, wind whipping around him. Radford grabbed his legs tight.
Via KMVT
On the first pass, Lippo reached but could not get a good grip. The gear was stuck firmly. Gordon went around for another try. On the second pass, Lippo put all his weight into it. He yanked hard, and the gear popped free. The cockpit light turned on, showing all three wheels down.
Cheers erupted from watchers on the ground. Gordon circled one more time to check everything, then landed. The touchdown was bumpy, but safe. He stopped with just 30 feet of runway left and taxied to the hangar. Everyone shook hands, relieved.
Gordon even took Lippo out for drinks to celebrate. The whole thing took skill and nerve. The plane’s propeller was close to the car, and any gust of wind could have caused trouble. But their air show training paid off.
The Aftermath and Media Buzz
Right after, the story spread fast. A photographer named Phillip Whitley caught it on camera and video. His shots went to newspapers and TV shows around the world. The event was featured on programs like “Rescue 911,” which aired in 1989.
Via The Council of Europe
Other shows like “Shockwave” on the History Channel and “World’s Most Amazing Videos” on NBC picked it up, too. Some people thought it was a stunt for publicity, but the team said no. It was real, using skills from their jobs. The attention put St. Augustine on the map for aviation fans.
Whitley sold the footage many times and threw a party when the “Rescue 911” episode aired. Gordon continued flying, getting his commercial license and working for big airlines. The plane was fixed and flew again. The story became a tale of heroism, showing what people can do in a pinch.
Via Purplepass
Lessons Learned for Aviation Safety
From this incident, aviation learned about better gear designs. Today, planes have more backups and sensors to spot problems early. Training includes handling gear failures with simulations. But the big lesson is about staying calm. Panic can make things worse. Quick thinking and practice save lives.
Airports now have better emergency plans, but human skill is still key. The event pushed for checks on bolts and parts that can jam. Mechanics inspect them more often. Safety rules evolved, making flying safer overall. Aviation has other wild stories. In the 1940s, pilots landed on moving ships during the war.
Via Arco Aviation
In 1970, a pilot fixed a prop in flight by climbing out. But few match the 1985 car fix. Another time, in Australia, a mechanic hung from a helicopter to help a stuck plane. These tales show ingenuity in danger. They teach that sometimes, low-tech fixes work best.
Why This Story Still Matters Today
Decades later, the 1985 rescue is still talked about in flying circles. It shows human smarts beating machine failures. In a time before fancy tech, people relied on guts and ideas. The event inspires pilots and mechanics to think outside the box.
Via Orient Flights Aviation Academy
It also highlights teamwork. Gordon trusted Moser and Lippo with his life. Their bond from the air shows made it possible. Stories like this remind people that heroes are often everyday workers who step up.
Discover the 1985 Hero Who Fixed a Plane from a Car
Since 1985, planes have gotten smarter. Modern landing gear has auto-checks and warnings. Drones and AI help inspect without risk. But pilots still train for hands-on fixes. Small planes like the Piper now have better materials to avoid jams. Air shows continue, but with stricter safety. The human touch remains, as tech can’t replace quick minds.
At its core, the 1985 rescue is about people beating odds. When machines fail, brains and bravery step in. It reminds people to trust skills and friends in tough times. Whether in the air or on the ground, thinking fast can turn disaster into success. This story endures because it’s real-life action. It proves that with courage, anything is possible.
