Sloane W.

Luck, Skill and Miracles: How Two People Survived a Plane Crash

Sloane W.
Moose Jaw Regional Heritage Fair
Moose Jaw, SK

On May 5, 1979, Brent Dyer, Donna Johnson, and Don Johnson, left Estevan, Saskatchewan to fly down to Boise, Idaho to pick up a West Highland Terrier for Donna, and to log flying hours for Brent because he wanted to become a pilot. Donna is Don’s daughter, and Brent is Don’s son-in-law (married to his other daughter Cindy). Brent and Donna are my second cousins once removed, and Don is my Great-Great Uncle. Their plane crashed in the mountains near Challis, Idaho, leaving Donna with frost-bitten legs, Brent had a broke shoulder and jaw, Norm (the pilot) suffered a head injury, and Don had succumbed to his injuries sometime while Brent and Donna were unconscious. One of the first miracles they noticed was that Donna woke up with her father’s warm leather jacket covering her. Through the span of two weeks, Brent and Donna survived on a few snacks, a tube of toothpaste, a couple of bottles of Pepsi and Brent’s ability to use what they could find in the plane, such as stuffing pieces of the carpet in the windows so they were slightly more protected from the weather or the oil in the plane’s bottom compartments which they used to start a fire to stay warm. At one point they thought they had to drink their urine, but both weren’t able to. After a week and a half of going without any food, they had one option left, they felt like Don had sacrificed himself for his daughter and would agree with their decision to do the unimaginable to stay alive. On May 19, they knew they had to walk out and find help. After several days of walking, climbing and more challenges by May 24, they came upon an old mine camp, hoping to find help. When they walked in, they found a family that fed them, let them shower, and would call their families to let them know they were safe and coming home.

What sources and evidence did you consult for your project? What different perspectives did they provide on your topic?

Primary sources are: 

The book: The Sacrament by Peter Gzowski

• This is the story that the family, including Brent and Donna, consider to be their accurate story. Peter interviewed them for the book.

Interview with my grandmother, Sheila White (cousin to Donna and Brent, Sheila was a part of the search party) 

Interview with my Uncle Bob, Robert McLaughlin (cousin through marriage, Robert was also part of the search party)

• These sources both explained to me what it was like to be part of the search party and what it was like for the family waiting for any news.

YouTube video, Extraordinary Lives, Brent Dyer Survives a Plane Crash, www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_d9wYULEzQ

• This source includes an actual interview with Brent; it gives a more personal connection to the book and a few more personal details and thoughts.

Article: Father’s protective instinct led to miracle in Idaho mountains from The Leader-Post, Regina, SK. Sat, May 26, 1979 

Article: Pair walk away from crash site from Lawrence Journal-World. Sat, May 26, 1979

• Both sources provided specific information about what was known at the time.

Secondary sources are:

The Canadian Encyclopedia: Peter Gzowski

• This gave information about the importance of the author and why his reputation of being a respected and trusted journalist means we can trust the accuracy of the book.

Casting Lots: A Survival Podcast, www.castinglotspod.home.blog

• This source provided some supporting details about the crash and their survival.

Karielle Willner (my mom and relative to Don, Donna, and Brent)

• She helped me to understand my family tree and other information she knew about the story.

What is the historical significance of your topic?

This story is important because it reminds us that we can’t see what goes on inside people’s heads, what people have gone through, and what their story is. Brent and Donna had gone through a life-changing event, but if you walked past them on the street you would never suspect a thing. Everybody else will carry on with their life while Brent and Donna carry those “books in their backpacks”. Also, you never know what to expect next in life.

Why did you choose this topic? 

I knew it was a family story, but I didn’t know much about it, so I wanted to learn more. I was also much more driven to find out more and share their stories because I am related to them, so I felt more connected and eager to learn.