Stefan G. Rasmussen
 | This article has an unclear citation style. (October 2011) |
Stefan G. Rasmussen | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 July 1947 |
| Occupation | Pilot |
| Known for | The crash-landing SAS flight 751 |
Stefan Gydegaard Rasmussen (born 23 July 1947) is a former Danish airline pilot who captained the crash-landing SAS flight 751 on 27 December 1991. There were no fatalities in the crash, and Rasmussen received recognition for his handling of the incident. He entered politics, and served in the Danish Folketing parliament from 1994 to 1996.
Biography[edit]
He was born in Randers. After finishing middle school in Randers in 1967, he finished apprenticeship as an electrician in 1969. He then spent one year at a technical school in Aarhus and worked as a travel guide before entering the Royal Danish Air Force in 1971. He was an aircraft mechanic and subsequently pilot and officer, having spent the year 1972 to 1973 in the US[1] where he graduated from Williams Air Force Base, Arizona in 1973 (class 74-01).
In 1979, Ramussen was hired as a civil airline pilot in the Scandinavian Airlines System. He served as a board member in the trade union, the Danish Pilot Association from 1982 to 1984.[1]
On 27 December 1991, he was the Captain of Scandinavian Airlines Flight 751, a McDonnell-Douglas MD-81 registered OY-KHO which crash-landed at Gottröra in Sweden. In the initial climb both engines ingested ice which had built up on the two wings, which had not been properly deiced before departure, the engines then surged. Both engines were destroyed, leaving the aircraft with no propulsion. After a controlled low-altitude glide, the aircraft landed in a field and broke into three parts. No fire broke out and all aboard the plane survived.[2]
Rasmussen was decorated as a Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog for his performance.[2] He also received the IFALPA Polaris Award, IAPA Outstanding Service Award,[1] Aviation Week & Space Technology Laurels Award and Hall of Fame recognition[citation needed] and H. M. The King's Medal from King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.[1]
Rasmussen was diagnosed with PTSD as a result of the aftermath of the accident[2] and retired in 1992 after 13 years of flying with Scandinavian Airlines. He has published the book "Det gælder dit liv!" (ISBN 978-87-88165-94-4) and has for many years been an active speaker in both Denmark and abroad. In 2021 he published the book "Du ska' ikk' spare mig..."" (ISBN 978-87-972756-1-0) on the same occasion the book "Det gælder dit liv!" republished in a new edition (ISBN 978-87-972756-0-3)
Rasmussen was a member of the Danish Folketing Parliament for the Conservative People's Party from 1994 to 1996,[1] but had to terminate his membership due to a severe Tinnitus he had had after the emergency landing with the SAS plane. In the period 2000 and up to 2005, Rasmussen was a member of the city council in Frederikssund.