ALERT Editor's note: Actor Harrison Ford, who flies both small planes and helicopters, has survived previous aircraft crashes. In 2000, he was a passenger in a small plane that crash-landed in Lincoln, Neb. A few months before that, in October 1999, a helicopter Ford was piloting crashed in Santa Clarita, Calif. – Jillian

Melanie aviation journey began at a young age, earning her first pilot certifications while still a teenager, before she ever held a driver’s license! As lead journalist at AIRLIVE.net, she plays a pivotal role in shaping the voice and editorial direction of the website. Her experience spans flight operations, air traffic coordination and emergency incident analysis.