About this episode In 'Mayday in the Silence: A One-Sided Descent,' listeners are immersed in a compelling narrative conveyed through the perspective of a single caller during a tense, unfolding crisis. Through nuanced narration and strategic pauses, the story reveals the emotional depths and unspoken truths behind a critical emergency, highlighting the power of silence and voice in storytelling. This episode offers a gripping exploration of human resilience and the weight of unvoiced fears, leaving listeners reflecting on what remains unsaid.
0:00 The Cessna 172 has a stall speed of fifty-one miles per hour.0:06 Last week, Admin, we talked about how much a story can be told in the silences.0:14 This week, we’re going to live inside one of those silences, where every pause is the difference between the sky and the ground.0:27 Okay, honey.0:28 Just breathe.0:29 I'm right here.0:31 Can you hear me?0:33 Good.0:33 Now, do NOT look at him.0:36 Look straight ahead, out the window.0:39 At the horizon.0:41 The line where the blue meets the brown.0:45 Keep the plane's nose right on it.0:48 Can you do that for me?0:51 Good girl.0:52 You're flying a plane, Sarah.0:55 Now, find the big wheel in front of you.0:59 The...0:59 the steering wheel thing.1:02 That's the yoke.1:04 Gentle.1:04 VERY small movements.1:06 It's sensitive.1:08 Feel how it responds?1:10 Good.1:11 To your right, there are two handles.1:14 One black, one red.1:16 The black one is the throttle.1:19 That's your speed.1:21 We don't touch that yet.1:24 We need to find you first.1:26 No, I...1:27 I don't know where you are.1:30 But you have a radio.1:32 Find the button on the yoke.1:35 Right under your thumb.1:37 Press it and say Mayday.1:40 Three times.1:41 Just "Mayday, Mayday, Mayday." They answered?1:46 Oh, thank god.1:47 Okay.1:48 Tell them your father is on the phone.1:51 They'll...1:53 they'll know who I am.1:55 They will find you on their radar.1:58 Okay, they see you.2:00 They see you, honey!2:02 There's a small airfield about ten miles ahead.2:07 You're running on fumes, Sarah.2:10 We have to do this right the FIRST time.2:14 You see the lights?2:16 Two white, two red?2:18 That's perfect.2:20 That means you're on the right path.2:23 Keep them just like that.2:26 Whoa, whoa, you're dropping too fast!2:30 Pull back on the yoke!2:32 PULL BACK!2:33 Not that much!2:34 Okay.2:35 Okay, you corrected.2:37 You're over the runway now.2:40 The concrete.2:41 Cut the power.2:43 The black handle.2:44 Pull it ALL the way out.2:47 Now.2:47 Just...2:48 hold it steady.2:49 Hold it steady and PULL back on the yoke...2:54 keep pulling...2:55 keep pulling...2:57 Sarah?2:57 Talk to me, honey.2:59 What happened?3:01 You're down.3:02 Oh, you're down.3:04 You did it.3:05 You landed a plane.3:07 No, don't do anything.3:09 Just sit there.3:10 And breathe.3:12 They'll be right there.3:14 I hear them now.3:16 I hear the sirens.
