From Wreckage To The Stars: The Inspiring Life of Gene Roddenberry
From The Wreckage…
It was 18th June 1947 when a Pan AM flight from Calcutta to New York caught fire. An engine had stopped working, causing another to overheat and burst into flames.
The pilot attempted to land the plane safely, while the co-pilot went into the main cabin to help calm the passengers.
In the cabin sat a woman, alone and terrified. The co-pilot took a seat next to her, and said to her: ‘it’s going to be okay.’
He had reassured her, while the engine continued to burn, then fall from the wing. While the plane pitched downward, and the fuel lines became exposed, and the chances of survival were getting slimmer by the second.
The plane crashed into the Syrian desert — killing fourteen people instantly. Only two crew members survived, including the co-pilot. He’d suffered two broken ribs, but in spite of the injury, he went back into the burning plane to help survivors get out.
Fire inevitably overtook the wreckage, so they waited for rescue.
“It’s going to be okay.”
By morning, help still hadn’t arrived. Being the surviving senior officer, the co-pilot took charge and formed two search parties — both of which travelled in different directions to find help.
The co-pilot’s search party came across a village, where they made a call on a radio for help. The broadcast was relayed to Pan AM, who had sent a stretcher plane to rescue them.
All twenty-two survivors were rescued. The co-pilot received a Civil Aeronautics Commendation for his efforts during and after the crash.
…To The Stars
The Co-Pilot was Gene Roddenberry. He went on to create Star Trek.
Roddenberry had also served as a World War II pilot, and had survived two other plane crashes prior to this one.
After the crash, Roddenberry quit his job at Pan AM and pursued a career in writing — particularly in television.
He was a man who had seen his life flash before his very eyes multiple times, had seen how fickle life truly was, and pursued his dream.
And in turn, he created a franchise that has been incredibly influential for science-fiction, being enjoyed by many generations: from those who have been watching from the very first episode that aired in 1966, to those just discovering the vast franchise today.
Even NASA’s first space shuttle was named Enterprise, after the starship in the original series.
Live Long And Prosper
As we find ourselves at the end of what is likely one of the most roughest years we’ve all faced in a while, we are all probably feeling as though we too, are all in our own individual planes, falling through the sky in terrifying smoke and flames — waiting for the moment we hit the ground.
Wondering — will we survive?
Life likes to remind us of how short it truly is. So — pursue those dreams you think are unreachable.
And reach out to others, who may also feel like they’re falling, and remind them:
It’s going to be okay.
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