I sent a friend this story...
http://www.pacificflyer.com/2010/04/a-10-pilot-saves-mooney-driver/
He replied with this personal experience...
Around 15 yrs ago I was on a trip home from Fl. It was summer hot, hazy and a lot of thunderstorms around the CHS area. I was listening to all the pilot radio chatter in the region and decided to land CHS get my feet on the ground and do a proper weather check. Picked up CHA approach from about 35 mi out and got vectored in. They kept bringing me down a few thousand ft at a time, I was at 12,000'. I was weaving in and around big buildups all the while. My responsibility was always to stay clear of the clouds. The final clearance from 3000' at 6 mi out. 2145Q cleared to land rwy 35, descend maintain 1000' rwy 12 o'clock. 6 mi. I complied and ended up going down a blind alley between clouds. I called back, said I was going lower to remain VFR, he said "roger 45Q". It was too late I was in solid IMC, went as low as 700 ft, held it there about 2 minutes, couldn't see anything. I started getting nervous about my altitude being too busy flying to check the chart for obstacles so I listened to the voice of my original instructor. Fly the plane 1st, sort everything out later. I held the heading brought it back up to 1000 and waited. The controller called out 45Q rwy is 5 mi 12 o'clock. Next he called out 45Q rwy is 4 mi 11 o'clock, next call 3 mi 10 o'clock. He then asked "45Q do you have the rwy? I replied negative. He now caught on to what was happening and said "45Q stand by". He came right back said " 45Q amended clearance, cleared to land rwy 17 we will vector you around". He continued with me kept giving me turns of 5 degrees or so. Finally " 45Q rwy 2 mi 12 o'clock check gear down" I put my gear down and popped out of a cloud to a totally clear patch over the runway. I just touched down as lightening was striking the other end of the runway. I rolled out and hit what seemed like a waterfall half way down the rwy. I taxied up to the ramp and called and thanked the controller for his assistance and then thanked my maker.
I'm extremely thankful for a military controller that day. He was quick, sharp, professional. He caught on the situation quickly and didn't say, or make me say anything on the tape that would bring in the FAA. Once, an indiscretion of any nature is stated on the tape, officials have to be involved. So I was lucky in many ways that day. I lived, didn't lose my license and I learned some priceless lessons.
Fortunately I don't have too many stories like this one.
Jim
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