Mercy Mission: The Rescue of Flight 771

Jay Perkins and Frank are hired to fly crop dusters by a local farmer but are fired for dangerous aerial stunts. The dismissal leaves Jay anxious about how he’ll support his wife Ellen and their expected baby. This setback sets the financial stakes for the rest of the story.

They are offered a lucrative job to fly Cessna 188 crop dusters to Sydney via Honolulu, Pago Pago, and Norfolk Island. The prospect of the big payout tempts them to take on a dangerous, long-distance assignment.

Ellen tells Jay that the money isn’t worth the risk and worries for her family and unborn child. Her concerns heighten the tension as the pilots decide whether to go ahead with the flight.

Jay and Frank depart the next morning, carrying extra fuel for the long journey. They rely on their automatic direction finders to guide them toward their distant destination.

The flight passes through Honolulu without incident and continues toward Pago Pago. The crew remains focused on reaching Sydney and securing the payoff.

Shortly after takeoff from Pago Pago, Frank crashes into the water. He escapes unharmed, but his plane is destroyed, forcing Jay to reconsider the mission.

Jay offers to turn back, but Frank urges him to continue for the big payoff. They decide to press on despite losing their lead aircraft and the risk still ahead.

After nearly 14 hours of flight, Jay cannot contact Norfolk Island because his ADF is broken. Realizing he is lost, he radios air traffic control for assistance.

A search and rescue mission is launched, but progress is hampered by a storm. Air traffic control notes that Flight 308 may be the key to locating Jay and directing the rescue.

Gordon Vette, the ANZ senior pilot, radios Jay and learns he’s running out of fuel. He persuades his passengers to alter course and help search for Jay.

Back home, Ellen is distressed by the news that her husband is lost at sea and wonders if she will ever see him again. The family’s fate hangs in the balance as the search continues.

Over the coast of New Zealand, Gordon struggles to locate Jay and uses triangular methods based on radio signals and the sun to pinpoint Jay’s position as daylight fades.

With dwindling fuel, Jay contemplates ditching his plane in the ocean while there is still daylight, aware that landing in the water would be perilous but possibly the only chance at survival.

Gordon eventually locates Jay and guides him to a safe return home. Jay makes it back to his family, bringing a tense ending to the ordeal.