In February of 2003, Captain Denis Murphy was able to save life and property in his heroic efforts to safely ditch his burning, smoke filled dual engine plane into the Atlantic Ocean. His efforts were widely acclaimed on local television and radio reports during the weeks to follow. To this day he is still being pursued for local television and radio interviews. Captain Murphy's first concern was not for his own safety but rather the local residents of nearby Marathon Key where the local airport could have permitted a more easily accomplished ground landing, but could have endangered residents if something had gone awry.
To have a clearer understanding of the situation that Captain Murphy, we have to start off with the fact that he was flying a Cessna 402 (dual engine aircraft) back from Havana Cuba. The aircraft at approximately 50 miles north east of Key West and only 4 miles from Marathon Airport and was starting to have engine problems first with the right engine and then quickly evolving into both engines catching fire. Murphy had to make a decision whether to fly over a heavily populated part of the Keys and make a more easily accomplished ground airport landing or to attempt an extremely dangerous ocean ditching. After determining an ocean ditching was the best course to meet the overall safety of the local population, he chose to attempt a landing in an area of the ocean that would allow the least impact on the local environment. He chose an area that he could see had a relatively shallow depth with sand rather than coral for a seabed.
Captain Murphy successfully water ditched his airplane into the ocean and can be proud to attest that both the local citizens and the environment in the area were not impacted due to his diligence. He did suffer injuries which were treated at the local hospital in which he was released five days after being admitted. His wife after only one month of marriage was extremely relieved to have her husband back home and safe and was confident in his ability to overcome and re-emerge to be now a great pilot as well as a terrific parent to their newborn baby girl only one year later. Faced with an emergency situation unprecedented in his experience, demanding the utmost ingenuity, Captain Murphy rose to the occasion with a remarkable example of professionalism. Captain Murphy's conduct displayed extraordinary concern for others. His outstanding piloting skills and tenacity under the most trying conditions contributed significantly to the safety of the local citizens. Murphy's prompt and courageous actions taken with complete disregard for his own personal safety reflects the highest traditions of the aviation profession. Please accept this as my nomination of Captain Denis G. Murphy for the Lieutenant General Harold L. George Civilian Airmanship Award.
Thank you for your time and consideration of my nomination. Enclosed you will find copies of local newspaper articles and video of news reports