Born to Fly: The Untold Story of the Downed American Reconnaissance Plane

by Shane Osborn, Malcolm McConnell

From the age of three, Shane Osborn dreamed of being a pilot. He began learning the skills he would need to fly as a member of the Civil Air Patrol, a branch of the U.S. Air Force, when he was just twelve years old. But it wasn’t until he graduated from the naval ROTC program at the University of Nebraska and joined the navy that his dream became a reality. For five years, Osborn practiced rigorous training exercises, working tirelessly day in and day out until he advanced from navy pilot to mission commander.

All Lt. Osborn’s flying skills were put to the test when a Chinese F-8 II fighter jet collided with his EP-3E ARIES II plane during a U.S. surveillance mission through international airspace. The impact severely damaged Osborn’s aircraft, sending it plummeting toward the ocean. With almost certain disaster looming, Osborn managed to gain control of the crippled plane and land it safely on the Chinese island of Hainan—saving the lives of his twenty-three crewmates.

In Born to Fly, Shane Osborn describes these terrifying events in vivid detail, along with the years of dedicated training that made the emergency landing possible. This is the inspirational story of a boy with a dream, and of the extraordinary discipline and courage that made him a hero.

272 pages, Hardcover

Published November 13, 2001

Reviews

[Kelli Randell · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read from LT Osborn’s perspective of the Hainan Island incident. Tended to drag a bit during their time held hostage by the Chinese government. I was expecting him to address some of the controversy surrounding his actions but disappointingly he doesn’t mention it.

[Crystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's ok. The man's not a writer, he's a Navy pilot. And he didn't reveal much about the other crew members. I mean, others were detained on foreign soil, interrogated and threatened as well but they are faceless and strangers.
So it reads more autobio and testimonial with a whole lot of swagger and bravado.

[Trevor Nagle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting to me personally because I flew with half the crew in the story, but the book came across to me as a "back-patting" attempt by LT Osborn to make himself (and the crew) to be more heroic than seemed likely. Entertaining, but not a great book.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Subtitle: The Untold Story of the Downed American Reconnaissance Plane.

Very interesting 1st person account of the recon plane that was forced to land in China after being hit by a Chinese fighter plane, April 2001. From the viewpoint of the mission commander.

[Daniel Talley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good story of courage and faith. I cannot remember this event, however, the story is amazing. Fantastic flying and dealing with a hostile Chinese government, these naval aviators stayed true to their mission, to each other and to God. Bravo LT. Osborn!

[Amy]

i learned that this guy is as big an idiot as i thought. so i got that goin for me, which is nice

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a former P-3 aircrew, I,was curious about what had happened to the crew while detained in china.