John Cooper.
A note to remember John Cooper.
John was an A and P mechanic employed by Pan Am, on this occasion he was in Tenerife to fix an auto pilot snag, on completion he scrounged a lift home on the B747 on the jump seat.
He survived the impact, and managed to struggle clear of the aircraft before returning into the wreckage to help evacuate the passengers, a very brave act that saved lives.
John had a very adventurous life in aviation, from wartime RAF to a wide range of civil operations world wide, with many stories to tell, however the Tenerife incident was a very traumatic experience for him.
I had the privilege of working with this very quiet and unassuming gentleman later on, John was held in the highest regard by all that knew him, and sadly passed on in 1998.
RIP.
Best regards,
om15.