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Stricken Caravan Pilot Identified as Kenneth Allen Has ‘Miracle’ Recovery

Surgeon talks about treating the pilot of the airplane that a passenger landed last week in Florida.

Pilot Kenneth Allen and his wife, Stanna. [Photo: Kenneth Allen]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Pilot Kenneth Allen, 64, suffered a life-threatening acute aortic dissection mid-flight, leading to a passenger having to land the airplane.
  • He underwent successful emergency surgery to replace part of his aorta and is now making a remarkable, "miracle after miracle" recovery, having already been discharged from the hospital.
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The pilot who lost consciousness during a flight from the Bahamas to Florida last week, resulting in a passenger having to land the airplane, has been identified as Kenneth Allen, a 64-year-old grandfather of six. And hospital officials say he is lucky to be alive.

“The story is miracle after miracle,” said Dr. Nishant Patel, the cardiothoracic surgeon who treated Allen at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center on May 10.

Jonathan Welsh

Jonathan Welsh is Lead Editor of Aviation Consumer and a private pilot who worked as a reporter, editor and columnist with the Wall Street Journal for 21 years, mostly covering the auto industry. His passion for aviation began in childhood with balsa-wood gliders his aunt would buy for him at the corner store. Follow Jonathan on Twitter @JonathanWelsh4

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