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Rod Lovell

Goodreads Author

Born

Victor Harbour S.A., Australia

Website

http://www.FromHeroToZero.com.au

Twitter

RodLovell1

Member Since

November 2019

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From Hero to Zero is the incredible, true story of Captain Rod Lovell’s unbelievable castigation for doing the very thing he was paid to do – keep his passengers safe.
Imagine being punished for saving lives? Imagine if you only had 46 seconds to save those lives. Imagine if it was one of your loved ones whose life was spared. Would you not hail the man who saved lives a hero? The Australian media and public embraced Captain Rod Lovell as a hero. The aviation authorities brought him down to zero.
Captain Rod Lovell was punished by having his pilot’s licence suspended even though his outstanding skills enabled him to successfully ditch an aircraft in Botany Bay, Sydney, on the 24th of April, 1994 without fatalities or serious injuries. What is From Hero to Zero is the incredible, true story of Captain Rod Lovell’s unbelievable castigation for doing the very thing he was paid to do – keep his passengers safe.
Imagine being punished for saving lives? Imagine if you only had 46 seconds to save those lives. Imagine if it was one of your loved ones whose life was spared. Would you not hail the man who saved lives a hero? The Australian media and public embraced Captain Rod Lovell as a hero. The aviation authorities brought him down to zero.
Captain Rod Lovell was punished by having his pilot’s licence suspended even though his outstanding skills enabled him to successfully ditch an aircraft in Botany Bay, Sydney, on the 24th of April, 1994 without fatalities or serious injuries. What is even more remarkable was that he did this with only 46 seconds to spare. The post-traumatic stress Rod suffered after the accident was not related to the accident itself. It was the bully tactics and injustice he suffered at the hands of the aviation authorities over the following years. Rod’s attempt to get an accurate report and clear his name through the courts proved futile and left him financially and emotionally drained. As Rod explained in his book, the Australian government spent millions training him as a RAAF pilot, only to suspend his licence twenty-two years later, deeming him unfit to fly stating that the accident was due to ‘pilot error’, rather than a faulty aircraft.
From Hero to Zero is a fascinating book regardless of whether you are an aviation enthusiast or simply like incredible true stories. Rod’s thorough research in his quest to find the truth behind why both engines failed will leave you better educated and informed of actual facts from the person who lived them. Rod’s extraordinary, true story will make you laugh, cry, and stir you to anger at the injustice he suffered for doing his job with excellence. The best way to right a wrong is to spread the word by writing a review and recommending From Hero to Zero to as many people you can so that Rod’s status can revert to From Zero to Hero and his name cleared of all wrong doing once and for all. ...more

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Rod Lovell’s books

Average rating: 4.67 · 12 ratings · 6 reviews · 1 distinct work • Similar authors

From Hero To Zero

4.67 avg rating — 12 ratings — published 2019 — 3 editions

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Rod is Currently Reading

Rod Lovell is currently reading

A bunch of amateurs : the tragedy of government and administration in Australia

by J.W.C. Cumes

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Oct 15, 2020 05:50PM

Rod Lovell is currently reading

No Man's Land: The Untold Story of Automation and QF72

by Kevin Sullivan

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Rod Lovell said: " Capt Kevin Sullivan is a highly qualified and experienced pilot.
The book was let down by the fact that his publisher "Mills and Boon(ed)" it making it very unrealistic and unbelievable in places. ...more "

Apr 02, 2020 04:42AM · see review

Rod Lovell is currently reading

And Far From Home: Flying Raaf Transports In The Pacific War And After

by John Balfe

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Feb 18, 2020 06:18PM

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Rod Lovell liked Dianne Hart's review of From Hero To Zero: "An excellent true life story. Engine failure on takeoff is every aviators nightmare requiring super quick, calm thinking and action. Rod was put into this situation and with the adrenaline pumping was able to put his training into action saving the l" Read more of this review »
Aug 30, 2025 03:24AM · see review
Rod Lovell liked Gary Conroy's review of From Hero to Zero: The truth behind the ditching of DC-3, VH-EDC in Botany Bay: "Outstanding Airmanship. I was on Rod Lovell's 76 mechanics and 55 instrument fitters courses in the RAAF and can attest to his kindness and competency. His story is easy to read as well written, and I can commend this book to all that would try to und" Read more of this review »
Aug 30, 2025 03:24AM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of From Hero to Zero by Rod Lovell. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — From Hero to Zero by Rod Lovell <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Rod Lovell is now following Gary Conroy's reviews
Aug 30, 2025 03:24AM · like