In Barstow, Calif., a Cessna Skyhawk, perhaps 60's vintage landed around 10 p.m. last Sunday night in a the Santa Fe railyard. The Skyhawk landed safely. Only the left main wheel broke off. Once the a/c stopped there emerged an 80 year-old woman who had run nearly out of fuel. My friends I operate a train in and out of that railyard. Let me tell you she did a remarkable job setting that plane down. I didn't see the lading but some of my colleagues did. They said she flew twice what looked like a pattern and on base leg the second time, landing to the north, aimed for the path between two unoccupied tracks. The yard is brightly illumined at night and she managed not to drift into the light poles. I'm sure the FAA will pull her ticket. But I'm glad she walked away from it and no one was hurt. Imagine 80 years old and she kept her wits about her. Well maybe now she'll start simming. John Franklin

I'm thinking: 80 years old? And still flying? Got to have been a WASP, surely? If so, has more flying skill in her little (80 year old) finger than 99.93% of us pilots will EVER have. Flown Flying Fortresses solo and may even have hooned around in Mustangs and Corsairs!If that is the case not only was she not toubled by landing in the railyard she could probably have landed on a railcar if pushed.Love to know the facts on this one!Allcott

Yeah I saw a episode of the color of war where they had a section about the WASP's really good episode...Especially the expets from various WASP's letters and stuff :) Those gals were really cool :)

Seems to be scarcely few details surrounding this flight and gallant landing but some are slowly surfacing. Here are a few more. Barstow is a small desert community about 150 miles NE of Los Angeles, CA. The pilot, whose name is still unreported, has been flying for 47 years. She departed Corona, CA approximately 50 miles SSE of Los Angeles destined for Long Beach, CA., 40 miles SW of Corona. The Skyhawk carried no nav or communication equipment of anykind according to one Santa Fe employee who saw the plane land and looked in the cockpit afterward. (If the plane is still in the yard on my next trip to Barstow I'm going to have a look myself.) The pilot was radically off course. Her low fuel status probably resulted from this. I know the FAA will not look kindly on her but she should, in my view, recieve an award for what she accomplished. I'm not criticizing her. John Franklin