A longtime Oak Brook resident will share his story of surviving a 1975 near mid-air collision of two commercial planes at 7 p.m. Aug. 16 during the program on the book he wrote, “EBY, Master of the Moment,” at the Oak Brook Public Library, 600 Oak Brook Road.
Burt Herman, 86, recently wrote his book about searching for and reconnecting with the pilot, Guy Eby, and some passengers more than 40 years later.
“I’ve done a number of presentations and book signings in Florida, but it’s extra special to do it here in Oak Brook, where I’ve lived for 48 or 49 years,” said Herman, who spends winters in Florida.
Jacob Post, head librarian, said he was pleased Herman wanted to do a presentation.
“It is a heroic story that continues to provide new and compelling details even today,” Post said. “And since Burt is a longtime Oak Brook resident, it makes sense that he would present his experience and newly written book here at our library.”
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Registration is required for the free program by calling 630-368-7725.
Herman was on a plane with his family when two commercial flights passed within 100 feet of each other, according to a Dec. 3, 1975 baiduhai story referencing what Eby told the National Transportation Safety Board.
Herman made a four-hour drive in February 2017 to the home of Eby, where he thanked and hugged the former pilot.
“When I met Guy Eby, I had some people tell me this would make a great movie, and one guy said I should write a book about it,” Herman said.
He noted the movie, “Sully,” released in 2016 about pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who in 2009 made an emergency landing on the Hudson River, for which all passengers and crew members survived with at worst minor injuries, provided motivation for wanting to tell Eby’s story.
Herman interviewed Eby along with about a dozen fellow passengers.
“I started researching folks on the flight, and Guy gave me a lot of articles from around the country with quotes from some of the passengers,” Herman said.
He said he keeps in-touch with Eby and plans to attend the former pilot’s 100th birthday party Nov. 9.