The first "Aviation Disaster - Accident Investigation Movie". Not too bad a movie for its time but it fails utterly as an accident investigation film! And the piloting skills of the main character leave much to be desired. I mean come on! He shuts down his only remaining engine because of a fire warning "Light & Bell" and decides to force land on a beach versus using the remaining engine to make the airport. And what's up with ATC? They don't even give the aircraft first priority back to the airport. Unfortunately this B movie bears absolutely no resemblance to the book by the same name. I highly recommend the book to any aviators out there. Read "FATE IS THE HUNTER". Aviation was a totally different activity in the 30s and 40s. The book is still in print and is an engrossing read. By Ernest K. Gann. Also read "FLYING CIRCUS" by the same author. It's a consolidation of Gann's best short stories. Paperback copies may still be available at 2nd hand book stores or on Amazon.

The movie would not stand up well with today's audiences. It's overly dramatic about the aviation culture and the so called Jet Age. You folks who fly for a living will know what I'm talking about. Unless you could use a cynical laugh, avoid this turkey. Anyway, ... nuf said. Thanks for reading this far.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_K...