From new author Ross Nixon, a book that tells the true story of an aviation searchandrescue and a family's struggle--- and how together they affected the history of the use of emergency locator transmitters (ELTs) in aircraft.

In March 1967, a Cessna 195 flew from Oregon towards San Francisco carrying a family of three: Alvin Oien, Sr. (the pilot), his wife Phyllis and stepdaughter Carla Corbus. Due to worsethanpredicted weather, it went down in the mountains of northern California only eight miles from a highway. It was before they became required equipment for airplanes, and this downed airplane had no ELT in rugged terrain and snowy winter storms... all these negatives hindered the searchandrescue efforts.

The eventual finding of the wreck in October of that year by hunters shocked the nation. A diary and series of letters from the survivors explained their predicament; now, in Finding Carla Ross Nixon tells the complete story as it has never been told--- in full, with its effect on the author himself as he rediscovered it.

The unfolding of this tragedy spurred political action towards making ELTs in aircraft mandatory; out of tragedy, the Oien family's legacy lives on, as the radios have saved thousands of lives since then. Pilots who read this story will never fly without a flight plan, survival gear, or a working ELT.

A fascinating story about human survival and perseverance, Finding Carla is also ideal reading for aviation safety, law, human factors, and accident investigation courses. Illustrated with a family photo and memorabilia album; includes details of the forming of ELT regulations in an Appendix that reproduces excerpts from The Congressional Record.

Softcover, 6" x 9", black and white, 230 pages.