John Travolta, the renowned actor and qualified pilot, recently shared a harrowing experience of a near-fatal plane incident that eerily resonated with his role in the Disney+ short, ‘The Shepherd.’ Speaking at the London premiere, Travolta recounted a terrifying flight over Washington D.C., where he faced a total electrical failure while piloting a corporate jet.
This real-life ordeal mirrored the struggles of Royal Air Force pilot Freddie Hooke, the protagonist of ‘The Shepherd,’ whose story is based on Frederick Forsyth’s book. Travolta vividly described the moment he thought death was imminent, with no instruments or electrical support and his family onboard. His quick thinking and pilot skills led to an emergency landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, narrowly avoiding a mid-air collision with a Boeing 727.
The incident, which occurred in 1992, was later confirmed by investigators as a grave threat. Travolta’s experience added a personal depth to his portrayal in ‘The Shepherd,’ especially in capturing the despair and fear of a life-threatening situation. His connection to Forsyth’s book and the film project spanned over 30 years, a testament to his passion and commitment to bringing this unique story to the screen.
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