The pilot of the airplane that ATC saw flying a missed approach after the Boeing 747-400 Dreamlifter landed on the too-short runway at Jabara in Wichita Sunday night has spoken with Flying about his experience.
The corporate pilot, who asked to remain nameless in this story, was inbound to Jabara “around 50 miles out,” deadheading solo in his company’s turboprop twin when Kansas City called the traffic passing above him bound for Wichita’s McConnell Air Force Base. He spotted the “747 Heavy” traffic — it was no factor — and continued his arrival. With Jabara lit up brightly — it was the only airport in the area that was brightly lit at the time, he told Flying — he cancelled his IFR clearance and went to the advisory frequency at Jabara.
