Pan Am Emergency Landing: The Heroic Legacy of Captain Chuck Kimes
- Bill Travis
- Jul 27
- 3 min read
How Captain Kimes Saved Everyone on Board in a 1965 Pan Am Emergency Landing
In 1965, Pan Am pilot Captain Chuck Kimes was commanding a routine departure from San Francisco International Airport when the unthinkable happened:
🛩️ One engine fell off soon after take-off and half of the right wing went with it.
Yet in what remains one of the most astonishing moments in commercial aviation, Captain Kimes and his crew executed a miracle Pan Am emergency landing, bringing every single passenger home safely.
A Sudden Disaster, a Steady Hand
There was no autopilot recovery system. No fly-by-wire controls. This was the golden age of flight, where quick thinking and deep training were all a captain had. Captain Kimes, flying a fuel-heavy jet with major structural damage, calmly addressed the passengers:
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have a minor problem which we’ll take care of and get back to you shortly.”
But within moments, it became clear this was no minor issue. His co-pilot had spotted that engine number 4 and half the wing were gone. Kimes took the mic again:
“Well, maybe the problem isn’t so minor after all. We’ll be going to land at Travis AFB where they have a longer runway, and I’ll be talking with you again soon.”
Pan Am Emergency Landing: Teamwork in the Face of Catastrophe
Despite the damage, the aircraft was holding altitude. There were five trained flight crew members aboard, and Captain Kimes quickly assigned duties:
A relief pilot was sent into the cabin to monitor damage and assist the flight attendants in keeping passengers calm.
Another relief pilot helped navigate terrain and avoided a massive transmitter tower en route to Travis AFB.
The co-pilot maintained constant communication with air traffic control while helping monitor flight instruments.
The flight engineer managed critical systems and engine monitoring under high stress.
Captain Kimes focused on flying the damaged aircraft to safety.
They couldn’t dump fuel because of the fire risk. They had to thread between a mountain gap near San Francisco. A ditching in the Pacific remained a possibility, but not desirable!
But with precise coordination, clear communication, and ice-cold nerve, Captain Kimes landed the crippled aircraft at Travis Air Force Base — an unprecedented Pan Am emergency landing that saved every life on board.
Why Few Remember the 1965 Pan Am Emergency Landing
In today’s media environment, this feat would have gone viral. There would have been interviews, documentaries, and a Netflix mini-series. But in 1965, there was no internet. No social media. Just a mention in a few newspapers and a quickly forgotten headline.
Yet among those who flew with Pan Am or studied aviation history, the name Chuck Kimes is whispered with deep respect.
“When half the wing disappeared, so did the margin for error. All that remained was a captain’s hand—his hand, his dedicated and skilled crew, and his heart.”
Airmanship at Its Peak
Captain Chuck Kimes' handling of the Pan Am emergency landing stands as a monument to professional training, cool under fire, and the teamwork that defined Pan American World Airways at its peak.
He is one of many unsung heroes from an era when air travel was more than transportation — it was a test of skill, leadership, and courage.
More Pan Am Tributes Coming Soon
Captain Kimes' story is just one of the miracles in Pan Am history. Coming up soon: the Pacific ditching that made Captain Dick Ogg another name worth remembering. 👉 Follow me on Facebook for more Pan Am pilot tributes and behind-the-scenes stories from the golden age of aviation.
Visit CaptainBillTravis.com for full tributes, inspirational journeys, and aviation history from someone who was there.
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