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Into the Skies: John Travolta Shares Harrowing Near-Death Experience Flying His Family

Skies of Survival: John Travolta Reveals Near-Death Experience While Flying His FamilyJohn Travolta recently shared a harrowing experience, recounting the moment he believed he was on the brink of death while piloting an aircraft with his family onboard. Speaking at the London premiere of the Disney+ short film, "The Shepherd," which depicts a young pilot facing electrical issues mid-flight, the veteran actor drew parallels between the film and his own life.

The 69-year-old licensed pilot detailed the incident, explaining that he encountered a "total electrical failure" in a corporate jet over Washington, D.C. While reflecting on Frederick Forsyth's book, which inspired the film, Travolta emphasized the personal resonance due to his own brush with aeronautical peril. He vividly recalled the terrifying moment when he had "no instruments, no electric, nothing," despite having two functioning jet engines.

Though Travolta did not specify the date of the incident, he previously shared details in a 1995 New Yorker feature, describing an emergency landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport nearly 30 years ago. The actor faced a cascade of failures, including issues with his "transducer rectifier." Despite the overwhelming challenges, Travolta maintained a surprising calmness, attributing it to the objectivity he finds in flight.

Describing the incident as a "miracle," Travolta narrated how, following the emergency, he descended to a lower altitude and successfully landed near Washington National Airport, akin to a scene from "The Shepherd." The actor had been flying from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Rockland, Maine, to celebrate Thanksgiving with his family.

Travolta's revelation adds a layer of personal connection to the film, adapted from Forsyth's novella, and starring Travolta alongside Ben Radcliffe, Steven Mackintosh, and Millie Kent. "The Shepherd" is set to debut on Disney+ on December 1, offering viewers a gripping tale of survival in the skies.

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