Work Team Frees Mechanic Held Hostage By Airplanes
Wewak, Papua New Guinea. In a daring act of heroics, a volunteer team of airplane mechanics rescued a local mechanic from several airplanes who were holding him hostage.
The hostage situation started approximately two years ago but Josh Snader, the rescued mechanic, claims he didn't realize he was in danger until it was too late.
"The airplanes were well dressed and polite when I first met them," he said. "As time went on, they slowly began making off-color jokes that weren't funny but I let it slide. Airplanes can be a bit of a rough crowd sometimes. Then, once I was alone in the hangar, they began showing me their unusual medical conditions, even though I didn't ask to see them. It was disturbing but I'm a good guy, I wanted to help. Eventually I realized my quick fixes were just enabling them. They got more bold and eventually they just refused to let me leave."
That's when Josh placed an emergency call to his former employer, MMS Aviation, based in Coshocton, Ohio. He knew there were qualified people there who could help.
“They taught me all I know,” he said, but quickly clarified, “But don’t hold that against them. They actually have a good training program. It’s not their fault if I just drank burnt coffee and discussed unusual mishaps with the Safety Manager all day.”
MMS "Global Response" team intervened on the local mechanic's behalf.
A team of two were dispatched to the hangar in Papua New Guinea. These teams are known as “Global Response” teams and are sent out frequently for situations such as this one.
In what can be described as a modern day miracle, the team arrived and completed their work on schedule and without any cancelled flights from the national airline.
“God knew I needed help, I guess,” says Josh.
Jay, the supervisor on the team, added, “Josh needs a LOT of help, if you know what I mean.”
Phil, the apprentice, was unable to be reached for comment since he had tangled his elbows under the instrument panel was unable to be extricated. Witnesses say he was yelling something about Jay’s blood sugar.
The team had the opportunity to finish replacing a control column for P2-SAA, repair and patch corrosion on P2-SAC, and begin a 100 hour inspection on P2-SAB.
Josh says that because of team, the airplanes are safer and better equipped to fly into the jungle and pick up villagers who need life-saving assistance.
“They were so helpful I wish they’d stay here,” said Josh, as he jammed something into the paper shredder. “Maybe I’ll get lucky and they won’t be able to find their passports or something. Haha.”
Despite Josh’s wish, the team reportedly left the country without issues and made the entire round trip without a single cancelled flight from AirNiugini, prompting the Pope to declare a miracle and designate the Jay and Phil as Saints.
Jay was unimpressed. “Tell me something I don’t already know,” he said.
