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From Hero To Zero
Long before Sully and his 'Miracle on the Hudson', I had the misfortune to lose an engine on a DC-3 aircraft on takeoff out off Sydney and had to make split-second decision to execute a controlled ditching in Botany Bay (New South Wales), summoning all my piloting skills and RAAF P-3 Orion training to execute a perfect touchdown, saving all passengers and crew on board. I was hailed as a hero at the time - still am by the passengers and crew and all who know me - but the aviation accident authority chose to scapegoat and vilify me and quickly close the case, instead of conducting an in-depth professional investigation.
248 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2019
11 people want to read
About the author
Rod Lovell
1 book3 followersFrom 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 5, 2025
Thank you Captain Rod Lovell for your insightful recollections. I found it informative and quite interesting. I enjoyed meeting you with Aviation Lovers Queensland in Adelaide earlier this year (February 2025).
For a Captain to save all crew and passengers, you are the definition of hero and my book!
Many thanks for your story!
For a Captain to save all crew and passengers, you are the definition of hero and my book!
Many thanks for your story!
November 9, 2019
A fantastic book, especially since I have known Rod since the days of his training at 2FTS. A very true story to tell about his background, his experience in civil aviation. However, my first interes was of his RAAF career, the ups and downs, but his sincere regards to his fellow service members.
I really aprove of his fight for justice against all the red tape and burocracy.
I hope this book will be a best seller in Australia and world wide.
I really aprove of his fight for justice against all the red tape and burocracy.
I hope this book will be a best seller in Australia and world wide.
July 20, 2025
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 understand the human journey, lived with integrity and purpose.
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 understand the human journey, lived with integrity and purpose.
August 7, 2021
This is Capt. Rod Lovell's true story describing the plane crash that changed his life. Sully was hailed a hero when his plane ditched into the Hudson River in New York. Capt. Lovell only had 46 seconds to take action when both engines failed after take-off. Miraculously, and due to Capt. Lovell's superb skills, all onboard survived without serious injury. His book tells how he went from Hero to Zero after the authorities suspended his licence and destroyed his aviation career. It is an incredible story where the truth about what really happened is finally revealed. I highly recommend it.
November 27, 2021
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 lives of all onboard. Well worth reading.
June 27, 2021
Excellent read and a true avaition legend. I have even had the pleasure to meet Rod on a couple of occassions with my father that knows him from their flying days together!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews