25 years ago, Al Haines became the greatest pilot in America

It might not look like it, but this might well be the greatest example of airmanship in the history of aviation.

It was 25 years ago this weekend, that pilot Al Haines put United Flight 232 down in Sioux City, after losing most ability to control the plane earlier in the flight. By all accounts, it never should have made it as far as it did.

At a theater in Sioux City on Friday night, Haines got a standing ovation at a salute to the people who helped save many of the people aboard.

“Every talk I do is one step closer to getting over it,” Haynes said.