A young pilot in Michigan has safely landed a plane that lost a crucial landing gear component. Taylor Hash was on her third-ever solo flight when she realized the front nose gear tire of her aircraft was missing. Another, more experienced pilot, Chris Yates, who had spotted the missing part, sprang into action to offer life-saving guidance to the 21-year-old. He promptly alerted the control tower at Oakland County International Airport of the mishap and coached Hash through a dramatic landing.

During the landing, Yates remained calm and reassuring, instructing her how to land the plane safely and avoid disaster. He successfully guided her as she circled the airport and landed without much damage. Hash told Fox 2 that Yates’ comforting demeanor, despite being a stranger from out of state whom she had never met, was just what she needed to stay calm. Both Yates and Hash reportedly cried when they met each other after the landing, overwhelmed with emotion.

According to reports, Hash’s landing was impressive, considering her level of experience. Yates told the outlet that “somebody with six hours solo and 57 total hours flight time doesn’t handle the plane like that,” and expressed hopes that airlines would recognize her talent. Hash herself described the episode as her most important landing to date and likely for the rest of her flying career. The two pilots plan to take a trip to Vegas via plane at the end of April, the local television station reports.