Despite the incident, Travolta continued flying and later purchased a de Havilland Vampire, the same type of jet featured in Forsyth's book.
John Travolta experienced a near-death incident while flying a plane due to total electrical failure.
The incident inspired Travolta's involvement in the short film 'The Shepherd', based on Frederick Forsyth's novella.
John Travolta, the renowned actor and licensed pilot, recently shared a personal near-death experience that inspired his involvement in the new short film, 'The Shepherd'. The film, produced by Alfonso Cuarón, is set to premiere on Disney+ this winter and is based on Frederick Forsyth's 1975 novella of the same name. The story revolves around a young Royal Air Force pilot who faces a life-threatening situation due to total electrical failure.
Travolta's connection to the story stems from a similar incident he experienced while flying a corporate jet over Washington D.C. Despite having two functioning jet engines, the total electrical failure left him without any instruments or electricity, leading him to believe his life was in danger. The incident, which occurred while Travolta was flying his family, was previously reported in a 1995 New Yorker feature and The Washington Post. The reports highlighted the very real threat of a mid-air collision during the 1992 flight.
Despite the harrowing experience, Travolta did not give up flying. He later purchased his own de Havilland Vampire, the same type of jet featured in Forsyth's book. The actor had initially dreamt of adapting the book into a feature-length film thirty years ago, with himself in the role of the young pilot. However, the project was stalled due to the COVID-19 lockdowns and was later transformed into a 40-minute short for Disney+. The film was shot largely in the UK.
Travolta's near-death experience and his subsequent involvement in 'The Shepherd' highlight the actor's resilience and passion for aviation, despite the risks involved.
The incident was previously reported in a 1995 New Yorker feature and The Washington Post, which noted that the threat of a mid-air collision during the 1992 flight was very real.
Despite the incident, Travolta did not stop flying and later purchased his own de Havilland Vampire, the same type of jet featured in Forsyth's book.
The actor had originally planned to adapt the book into a feature-length film, but the project was stalled due to the COVID-19 lockdowns. It was later turned into a 40-minute short for Disney+.