Big Sky (1997–1999): Season 1, Episode 5 - Growing Pains - full transcript
When his best mate Shane is jilted, Scotty commits to cheering him up. He moves Shane into his flat and takes him for his first parachute jump. The boys are playing hard and Scotty thinks Shane is handling the break up well. On a second jump a horrified Scotty watches as the parachute fails to open and Shane plunges to his death.
(Dramatic music)
(Birds chirping)
(Dramatic music)
(Paintball gun firing)
(Groaning)
- [Scotty] Surrender, Webster?
- I thought the guest of
honor was supposed to win.
If I don't get this paint
off before the wedding,
you're in real trouble.
- Not me, mate.
You're the one getting married.
(Upbeat drumming)
(Cheering)
- How you holding up, mate?
- Eh?
- How you holding up?
- Oh, I was good til now.
(Laughing)
- No, I'm serious.
Listen, mate, getting
married is a serious step.
But I wanna wish all the luck
in the world, all right.
Because I know how
important it is to you.
(Doorbell ringing)
- You dog, you called me a stripper.
(Yelling)
- Look, I'm not going to say
the obvious to you, mate.
I still want to pass on
some words of wisdom.
- Shane?
- Mr. Cooper.
Is Debbie all right?
- She asked me to give you this.
I'm sorry, mate.
I always liked you, son.
- [Bloke] What's up?
(Dog barking)
(Door opening and closing)
- She's called the wedding off.
(Soft theme music)
(Engine revving)
- Now remember, dive down, all right?
And push with your legs.
(Phone ringing)
Oh, Shane, I want you to meet
chief pilot Chris manning.
- Chris.
- How do you do, Shane?
- [Shane] Good.
- And this is Lexie ciani.
- Lexi.
- Hi.
- Lexie's going to be flying us.
- Good luck.
- It's his first.
- Hope you got your nappies on.
You scared?
- Do I look scared?
- Pretty well terrified.
- Yeah, well, that'd be right.
- Back in a tick.
- Shane, I heard what
your girlfriend did.
Like, hello, what was she on, I mean,
does that suck or what?
(Phone reading)
- Sorry about that, mate.
- It's okay, mate.
- Okay, now look, make
sure you hold on to your
pilot chute cord when you jump, okay?
That way, now matter
how scared you are,
you are going to pull it.
- Ready?
- Le's do it.
All right.
(Dramatic music)
(Wind blowing)
(Engine revving)
- Shane first, then me, all right?
And make sure you let him
go for a count of 10
before you start your spiral descent.
We wouldn't want her to run us over.
- I've done it a few
times, thanks, Scotty.
I'll be waiting for you on the ground.
- Are you sure you don't
want me to go first?
You might want me to break your fall.
- Shut up.
- Whoooo.
Right.
10 seconds!
Go!
(Dramatic music)
- Ohhhhhhh!
Yeahhhhh!
(Dramatic music)
Yeahhhh!
Yeah!
(Dramatic music)
Yeah, whoo!
Whoo-hoo.
(Chute opening)
(Soft dramatic music)
(Chute opening)
(Soft music)
Oh, ho ho.
Oh, mate, whooooo!
(Laughing)
- Are you okay?
- Fantastic!
That was unreal.
Unreal, better than sex!
Oh, mate.
My first one, my first,
first, when I first jumped,
I thought I'm going to Chuck, dead set.
Then I pulled on the
cord, and like you said,
the tug, like a bungee.
Oh, wow!
- You get that adrenaline
rush every single time.
(Laughing)
- What the hell were you doing?
- Free falling, I've been
doing it for a while,
trying to break the magic 1,000.
- Magic?
Why magic?
- You're not supposed
to be able free fall
past 1,000 feet, mate,
that was exactly 1,000.
Next time, I'm going under.
- You're going to kill yourself.
Whoo, yeah!
(Crickets chirping)
(Plane engine revving)
- Feel like a drink at the aero club?
- No, I really should do this.
- Yeah.
I didn't think so.
(Laughing)
- I can never work these things out.
Do you send the wedding presents back.
Oh, what about the ring?
- Oh, well she keeps it.
- No.
- Oh, I couldn't.
- Well I bought it for
her in the first place.
Doesn't matter.
I'll get last box.
- Yeah.
- Poor guy.
- I never liked her, I told him too.
- Good.
- He's better off without her.
- You reckon.
- Uh, sets and tapes.
- Add them to the collection, mate.
- All right, I'm going to go.
- Thanks.
- See you, Shane.
- Bye.
- Do you reckon he's all right?
- Yeah, he's okay.
- Okay.
- Mate, she's all right.
Surprised you're not on to that.
- She's not my type.
Okay, what's it going to be, mate?
Aero club, dance party, what?
- Pizza and a beer.
- Shane, you are a free man,
get out there and show
them what you're made of.
- You're a bloody dead
lost, what happened?
- I just don't want to
be pissed, that's all.
- Mate, she's all over
you like a cheap suit,
and you want to go home.
- I just kept seeing Deb in my mind.
- [Scotty] She did look a bit like her.
- They all do.
- Good day, brother.
- 20 bucks?
- That could be me someday.
- Hey,
you're gonna be all right, mate.
It's happened to guys before,
mate, and years later,
they're glad, okay, they
marry somebody else.
- Not me.
- Hey.
Hey, how about I marry her, eh?
Will that shut you up?
- Yes.
(Soft dramatic music)
- Yeah, no worries, you got it.
- What's he got?
- I'm taking the chieftain up.
- Oh, you two hurling
yourselves at the ground again?
- Shane is.
I'm driving.
- This time, I know how to do it.
(Engine revving)
- Left!
- All stations, tamura.
Charlie Taylor Dover's
overhead, tamura,
at one zero thousand.
Parachute operations, to
be released in 30 seconds.
You ready?
I can't go any slower,
mate, this is it!
What are you waiting for?
(Dramatic music)
(Plane hitting turbulence)
(Dramatic music)
(Radio chattering)
- Just keep all gawkers
right back, okay.
- Sorry, sir, you can't
come any closer.
- He's a mate of mine, I was the pilot.
(Radio chattering)
(Phone ringing)
- Hello, big sky.
Mm-hmm.
Oh no.
How?
(Helicopter flying)
All right, okay.
Thank you, bye.
- What's wrong?
- Scotty's friend's been killed.
Where's Chris?
- Downstairs.
- Shane Webster, he was 23 last month.
- Got to get the parents
to ID the body.
- In this case, it'll be
dental records for sure.
- You all right, mate?
I can get a car to take you back.
- No, but I'd appreciate a
lift to his parents' place.
I'd like to be the one that tells them.
- I'll take you, mate.
(Birds chirping)
- Scotty.
- You beat me to it.
- Donald just made you
boys a huge soup.
We were going to drop it round.
I'm glad you're on your own.
We can have a talk.
How is he?
He won't talk to me about it.
- Mrs. Webster.
- Scotty, what's the matter?
- There's been an accident.
We were skydiving.
He got such a buzz the first
time, he was a natural.
We went up again today.
I was driving the plane.
His chute didn't open.
It would have been instant.
He's dead.
I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.
- Oh, god (Weeps).
Oh, god.
(Weeping)
- Good.
Type of aircraft, altitude,
flight adjustment.
- Left, pulled left.
Shane yelled it out, it was
all routine up until then.
That's when I started
the spiral descent.
I kept looking for him,
I couldn't see him.
- [Chris] And you did the 10 count?
- Yeah.
Yes, then the air pocket.
- Yeah, I got all that.
- I checked the gear myself, all right?
Then I rechecked it.
- Scotty, it was an accident.
It's a terrible thing.
But it was an accident.
- There'll be a coroner's inquiry.
- That's all you need.
- My 10 count, I hurried it.
Then I hit an air pocket.
That could have been Shane.
- You didn't hit him, did you?
- Well, I looked for him.
I thought he was showing
off with a free fall.
I was bragging to him
about it last night.
- But did you see him?
- Yeah, I think.
I would have, I mean, I must have.
Wouldn't I?
10,000 feet, that takes two,
two and a half minutes
to reach the ground.
That's a hell of a long
time to think about dying.
- Sorry, the police are here.
They want to see Scotty.
- When was his chute packed?
- [Scotty] This morning,
packed it myself.
- Was it checked again before the jump?
- Yeah, I checked it then too.
- So, you checked your own packing?
How would you describe
his mood in the plane?
- He was fine.
- And his health?
- Great, perfect.
- Any money worries?
- Not that I know of.
- Do you know of any bad news
he may have received recently?
A death in the family, anything.
- His wedding was canceled last week.
- A mutual decision?
- No, it was his fiancee.
She called it off, she sent him a note.
- And how did he take it?
- How do you reckon?
He was pretty cut up.
- Did he write anyone
a letter explaining
his feelings or intentions?
Did he leave a note?
- What do you mean,
did he leave a note?
- We have a witness saying
they saw your plane
bumping about up there.
- Yeah, I hit an air pocket.
- You sure it was an air pocket?
- What the hell are you getting at?
- So, you hit the air pocket
just after Mr. Webster jumped?
- Yes.
- Right, thanks very much.
Oh, we may need to speak to you again.
- Did you hear that bastard?
- Go home, Scotty.
(Light switching)
(Soft dramatic music)
(Recorder beeping)
- [Phoebe] Scotty, it's Phoebe.
We're wondering if you
and Shane would like
to come over for a party
at our place on Saturday.
We're all meeting at
the royal oak first.
Call us back, bye.
(Beeping)
- [Shane] It's me, mate.
Listen, I just wanted to explain.
It's just,
it's all my fault.
Anyhow, when I met Deb I thought
my luck had finally changed.
She made me feel pretty special.
Obviously, I wasn't special enough.
I just can't live without her, mate.
Anyhow, you've been good,
you've been real good.
You've always been there for
me, always helping me out.
Like taking me jumping.
I loved it, I loved it.
That's why I couldn't think
of a better way to go.
- No.
- [Shane] Mate, would
you tell mum and dad,
I'm sorry to do this to you, mate,
but it would be better coming from you.
Could you tell them that I,
that I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.
(Beeping)
(Soft dramatic music)
(Dog barking)
(Soft dramatic music)
- I found these the other day.
Look, there you are.
You were seven, you were so tiny.
Look, that's the day you won the final.
- They were smoking.
- Oh, I know.
They were lovely boys.
Oh my boy.
- Shh, darling.
- My son is dead (Sniffs).
I watched him grow up,
and I wanted to watch him grow old.
- Mrs. Webster, there's
something I gotta say.
- Oh, Scotty, he loved you too.
You were really important to him.
And I'm glad you were
with him at the end.
- Mrs. Webster, on that
last flight, Shane, um...
- He loved parachuting.
He rang me after the first
time, raving about it.
You gave him that, Scotty.
- Well I've got to go, all right.
(Buzzing)
- [Lexie] Who is it?
Hello?
- Lexie, I have to talk to you.
- Oh, Scotty, look, it's
not a very good time.
- Shane killed himself.
Look, my best friend killed
himself and I helped him.
I said, look, why don't you
come parachuting with me,
that'll take your mind off things.
Sure did.
Have you got a drink?
- I think you've had enough.
Let me call you a cab, and we'll
talk first thing tomorrow.
- I want to talk now.
He looked at me, Lexie,
he looked at me!
- Scotty.
- Lex, what's going on?
- Who's this guy then?
- He's just a friend.
- So I shouldn't have come then, huh?
- No, no, it's okay.
Wait one second, I'm coming down now.
- No, forget it, all right.
It's okay.
- Scotty?
Scotty?
(Soft dramatic music)
- Hi.
- I'm looking for Scott Gibbs.
Know where I can find him?
- Uh.
What's it about?
- I've got a subpoena for the inquiry
into the parachute death.
- Well, just give it to me
and I'll give it to him later.
- He's not at his home.
Any idea where he might be?
- Scotty, wake up.
Scotty, you have to get
up, there's cops here.
- Scott Michael Gibbs,
you're subpoenaed to appear
at the coroner's inquest.
- I told you guys everything.
- There's an awful lot
of unanswered questions,
and you're the key witness.
- I don't know why, okay,
I'm just going to tell you
the same thing, what are you
guys having a go at me for?
- One question.
After your mate jumped,
how long did you wait
before you went into a spiral?
- 10 seconds.
- Oh.
- What?
- Thank you.
Thanks very much.
- I don't believe that.
They're implying it's all your fault.
That's not fair.
- Shut up about it.
- How dare they do that?
Look, Scotty.
I'm really sorry about last night.
If I had have known that you...
- Look, I said shut up
about it, okay, Lexie!
Don't worry about it!
Just forget it.
(Engine running)
(Soft dramatic music)
(Engine revving)
(Dramatic music)
- Scotty!
Come back.
You stupid idiot!
Scotty!
(Dramatic music)
Come on, ace, it's me, get back here.
You can't fly now, you know that.
This is a big mistake,
return to base now.
I don't think that you were to blame.
I was just saying that
they think that, not me.
Damn.
Chris, Scotty's just taken
off in the chieftain.
Look, he's really upset,
he's been drinking all night
and the cops just dumped this on him.
- How bad is he?
- He's a complete mess.
He thinks the cops are blaming him.
- All right.
- Careful, don't identify in
case the tower's listening.
- Hello, ace, you know who this is.
Can you hear me?
(Engine revving)
- [Controller] Chieftain
taxing for zero six.
The active runway is two four.
Please identify and
advise your attentions.
Chieftain taxing for zero six,
hold short of the runway threshold,
you have another aircraft on a final.
Chieftain taxing for zero
six, hold immediately.
We have a cessna 206 on final.
You are in conflict with that aircraft.
- Don't do it, Scotty.
- [Controller] Echo hotel lima,
we have a possible conflict.
You are not clear to land.
- [Pilot] Echo hotel lima,
I'm too bloody low.
I'm committed to a landing.
- He's got to talk to them.
What's he doing?
(Screaming)
(Engines revving)
- [Pilot] What the hell's going on?
Who was that idiot?
- [Controller] We haven't
identified him yet.
Did you see his rego numbers?
- [Pilot] Negative.
I was a little preoccupied
for god sake.
- [Controller] Chieftain
departing airport on runway
zero six, return and land immediately.
Report to tower, do you understand?
Any aircraft in the
area able to identify
chieftain to the north of
the field, please respond.
We'd really like to get this moron.
- That's it, now he's in real trouble.
(Engine revving)
(Soft dramatic music)
(Engine shutting down)
- Why would he do anything so stupid?
I'm sorry about his
friend, I really am,
but this is going too far.
- I'd say.
- Hey, Scotty, I'd get out
of here if I were you.
- This man hath penance done,
and penance more will do, my lord.
- You shut up.
- What the hell do you
think you were doing?
- What do you mean?
- You put yourself at
risk, the other pilot,
the aircraft and this company.
- Yeah, well, nothing happened.
- They'll suspend your license.
They might even kick you
out, do you understand that?
- They didn't identify the plane.
- Get out of my sight.
♪ Think you're in trouble ♪
(Beeping)
- [Shane] Anyhow,
you've been good, mate,
you've been real good.
You've always been there for
me, always helping me out.
Like taking me jumping.
I loved it, I loved it.
And that's why I couldn't
think of a better way to go.
Mate, would you tell mum and dad,
I'm sorry to do this to you, mate,
but it would be better coming from you.
Could you tell them that I,
I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.
(Soft dramatic music)
- What did you expect?
- With the recent spate
of light plane crashes
and the loss of four lives,
the premier's department
has been besieged with
calls for an investigation
into airline safety.
- That means every small
aviation company's
going to get a good going over.
The arc will turn us inside out.
- We're top of their list.
- [Chris] Should we tell him it was us?
- No, we can't risk it.
- Big sky'll be all right,
they're after Scotty.
- That's what I mean.
Come on, let's do it.
(Phone ringing)
- Brian, what a surprise.
- Chris.
- Brian chambers, Lauren Allen.
- How do you do?
- Miss Allen, I've
heard a lot about you.
- [Lauren] And what can we do for you?
- I'm here to look at your log books,
and we're checking on
yesterday's near miss,
trying to find the
lunatic who caused it.
- How's the investigation going?
- We're confident.
I'd like to talk to
each of your pilots.
- Scotty.
- We're just talking to people, pilots,
about that near miss yesterday.
Do you know anything about that?
- I've read it in the
papers, that's all.
- I heard about your bad
luck with that skydiver.
I thought you'd probably take
compassionate leave
after what happened.
What did happen?
- What do you mean, yesterday or?
- No, your friend, the skydiver.
- There'll be a coroner's inquest.
I'm sure it'll all come out.
- I'm sure it will.
They tell me you're a very good pilot.
Do you think you are?
- Yes, I do.
- So, this runway incident,
how would you have handled it?
You're taking off, and all of a
sudden, in your direct field
of vision, is another plane dead ahead.
What would you do?
- Evasive action includes going over,
around or under other aircraft.
- Yeah, but in this case,
which one would you choose?
- I'm not sure.
- Take a chance.
- Over.
- That's exactly what he did.
Do you know he cut off radio contact?
You ever done that?
Ace?
- Why would I?
- I'm now asking you officially.
Were you in that plane
yesterday morning?
- No.
- Did you fly at all yesterday morning
knowing you might still be under
the influence of alcohol?
- No.
Is that all?
(Computer beeping)
- What?
I haven't got any flights.
- You're grounded, Scotty.
- What do you mean I'm grounded?
I've got to get my hours up.
- I decide who flies around here,
and right now you're grounded.
(Phone ringing)
- [Brian] Thank you very much.
- Any time.
- I'm closing down three
of your aircraft,
the cherokee, the
cessna 206 and the 210.
- On what grounds?
Those planes are mechanically perfect.
- Body registration
letters aren't legal.
- You're joking.
- Letters don't comply
with regulation 18-1g.
They're two centimeters too small.
- Who measured them?
- I did.
If there's anything else
you want to discuss,
just give me a call.
- And I'm telling you, she's
up there sticking her neck out
for you, and what are you doing?
Give it up, Scotty, call the arc.
- No.
- The longer you leave it, the
worse it's going to look.
- For you and the company?
- For you.
- They will slaughter me.
Look, I'll be lucky if they
let me drive a car again,
let alone a plane.
I got to fly, Chris.
It's all I've ever wanted to
do, I mean, it's who I am.
Don't you understand?
- Yeah, I understand that.
But you can't just
pretend it'll go away.
Think about it, Scotty.
I can go in there and
tell them it was you.
I can do that anytime I like.
- So why don't you?
- Because you've got to
accept responsibility
for what you've done.
And it seems to me, if you
haven't got the guts to own up,
then you haven't earned
the right to fly.
- What else can they do?
- Lots, they're just getting warmed up.
- Just to get at Scotty?
- Yep.
(Phone ringing)
- I'm going to have to fire him.
- I think he's still pretty
choked up over his mate's death.
We got to give him a chance to own up.
- And in the meantime,
the business folds?
Tell him I want to see him.
- Chris, search and rescue.
Some kid's lost up the coast,
they want everyone out.
- Okay.
- Jimbo, we got an sar,
you take the comanche.
- We got a search on, Scotty, let's go.
- You grounded me, remember?
- You're not a flier, you're a spotter.
- Just wait here, and
I'll see what I can do.
- Chris, this is Jill
Spencer, the boy's mother.
Can she come with you?
- Sorry, Lauren, that's not
the way we do it round here.
Mrs. Spencer, I'm sorry.
It's best if you stay on the ground.
- Look, I promise I
won't get in the way.
- No, I'm sorry.
- Look, please, I can't just stay here.
I'm going to go mad.
He's my only child.
Please?
- All right, go on.
(Engine starting)
(Soft dramatic music)
- Control, this is echo whiskey Victor,
we're just about to
start our third sweep.
Nothing yet.
- [Control] Roger that.
Echo whiskey Victor,
on your third sweep.
- How old's your boy?
- 13.
He was never any trouble before.
- 13's a tough age.
Why do you think he did a runner?
- Oh, his mates stole a car.
Police came round and questioned him.
He swears he had nothing to do with it.
- [Chris] Do you believe him?
- He's my son.
- [Control] All stations
search and rescue,
this is control.
Police have talked to his friends,
and they think they
know where the boy is.
The search is being terminated.
Return to your respective
bases, thank you for your help.
- Well that's good, they've
called the search off.
They think your boy's with his mates.
- Well they're wrong.
He told me he wasn't going
to see them anymore.
- Mrs. Spencer, he's more
likely to be hanging out
with his mates than
taking off in a boat.
- Please, I know he's taken the boat.
He's done this before.
- Wouldn't hurt.
- [Chris] One more sweep.
(Soft dramatic music)
- What's that, down there?
- Yes, that's it.
Can't see Brett.
Oh my god, no.
(Soft dramatic music)
(Engine revving)
(Dramatic music)
(Gauge beeping)
- Mrs. Spencer, there's
not much more we can do.
I'm going to have to...
- There he is!
- [Jill] Oh, thank god.
- Control, this is echo whiskey Victor,
we've located the boy.
He's at position 34
degrees, 10 minutes south
and 151 degrees, 20 minutes
east in open ocean.
We're going to need a
chopper here real quick.
- [Control] Echo whiskey
Victor, control confirms you
have found Brett Spencer,
helicopter is half an hour away.
- Half an hour?
- He's gone.
- Kick the down buoy out.
(Soft dramatic music)
(Engine revving)
(Engine revving)
(Soft dramatic music)
- Hey, he's not up to it!
I'm going to jump to him!
Take us up to 4,000.
- Forget it, it's too windy out there.
We'll end up looking
for the both of you.
- Well what else are we going to do?
Look, I'll free fall.
I'll get to him a lot faster
than a chopper would.
I've made it to 900 before deploying.
- 900, you're crazy.
- I can do this, Chris.
(Dramatic music)
(Engine revving)
(Dramatic music)
- Don't push it.
You pull that cord early.
- Wouldn't dream of it.
Get a little closer!
(Dramatic music)
That's it, a few more.
(Engine revving)
(Dramatic music)
- Use it, Scotty.
(Wind resisting)
Come on.
Come on.
(Dramatic music)
(Chute opening)
He's too close.
(Dramatic music)
(Splashing)
- Oh, oh.
Oh.
- Hey, mate, let's get
you up, here you go.
- Thank you.
(Soft dramatic music)
Thank you so much.
- Don't thank me.
(Soft dramatic music)
- Yes, could you put me through
to the newsroom please?
- Is this for publicity.
- Yes, I have some information
about that rescue this afternoon.
- [Reporter] There he is, he's
coming out of the ambulance.
Okay, okay.
- A young pilot today put
his life on the line
in the successful attempt
to save a drowning youth.
Scotty Gibbs, Scotty?
How do you feel about being a hero?
- It was just a jump, mate.
- But you did an accurate free fall,
landing just beside him, I mean,
why didn't you just guide
your parachute down?
- There wasn't time.
Excuse me.
- A modest man.
We also have with us
today Brian chambers,
a representative of the
aviation regulatory commission.
Brian?
A big win for aviation.
- Yes, well we're very happy.
The guidelines established by the arc
facilitated a successful
rescue outcome.
- [Reporter] But from what we know,
the sea search had been called off.
If Scotty Gibbs hadn't
stretched the rules a bit,
then you might have had another
tragedy on your hands.
- Yes, well, he did a very good job.
- You still here?
- Yeah, I wanted to see
if you were all right.
- Why aren't you at hospital?
- I'm all right.
I've been thinking.
- So have I.
- I'm going to call the arc,
let them know that it
was me on the runway.
- Good.
- You could have been
a bit nicer about it.
- He's getting there.
(Soft dramatic music)
- [Regulator] Scott Gibbs,
you have breached a number
of regulations of the
civil aviation authority.
Under normal circumstances,
the penalty for such breaches
is license suspension or revocation.
However, the court notes that
the pilot has come forward
and taken full responsibility
for his actions.
As well, the references and testaments
from Mr. Chris manning
and miss Lauren Allen
indicate a young pilot of
exceptional flying skills.
As well, his professionalism
and courage have been
demonstrated by the successful
sea rescue last week.
It is therefore the decision
of this panel that Mr. Gibbs
keeps his license under the proviso
that he undergo further
supervisory training.
(Soft dramatic music)
- Then, after school, Shane
had a couple of jobs
that took him out of town,
and I was pretty caught
up with my flying,
so we didn't get to see
much of each other.
But when we did, you know, it was,
it was like we'd never been apart.
(Soft dramatic music)
We were so close, so
when he did what he did, I thought,
I thought that I should have known.
I should have stopped him.
That it was my fault.
I didn't know what to do, so,
but I learned that
you've got to be
responsible for yourself.
For your actions.
I owe him that.
(Soft dramatic music)
(Soft theme music)
(Birds chirping)
(Dramatic music)
(Paintball gun firing)
(Groaning)
- [Scotty] Surrender, Webster?
- I thought the guest of
honor was supposed to win.
If I don't get this paint
off before the wedding,
you're in real trouble.
- Not me, mate.
You're the one getting married.
(Upbeat drumming)
(Cheering)
- How you holding up, mate?
- Eh?
- How you holding up?
- Oh, I was good til now.
(Laughing)
- No, I'm serious.
Listen, mate, getting
married is a serious step.
But I wanna wish all the luck
in the world, all right.
Because I know how
important it is to you.
(Doorbell ringing)
- You dog, you called me a stripper.
(Yelling)
- Look, I'm not going to say
the obvious to you, mate.
I still want to pass on
some words of wisdom.
- Shane?
- Mr. Cooper.
Is Debbie all right?
- She asked me to give you this.
I'm sorry, mate.
I always liked you, son.
- [Bloke] What's up?
(Dog barking)
(Door opening and closing)
- She's called the wedding off.
(Soft theme music)
(Engine revving)
- Now remember, dive down, all right?
And push with your legs.
(Phone ringing)
Oh, Shane, I want you to meet
chief pilot Chris manning.
- Chris.
- How do you do, Shane?
- [Shane] Good.
- And this is Lexie ciani.
- Lexi.
- Hi.
- Lexie's going to be flying us.
- Good luck.
- It's his first.
- Hope you got your nappies on.
You scared?
- Do I look scared?
- Pretty well terrified.
- Yeah, well, that'd be right.
- Back in a tick.
- Shane, I heard what
your girlfriend did.
Like, hello, what was she on, I mean,
does that suck or what?
(Phone reading)
- Sorry about that, mate.
- It's okay, mate.
- Okay, now look, make
sure you hold on to your
pilot chute cord when you jump, okay?
That way, now matter
how scared you are,
you are going to pull it.
- Ready?
- Le's do it.
All right.
(Dramatic music)
(Wind blowing)
(Engine revving)
- Shane first, then me, all right?
And make sure you let him
go for a count of 10
before you start your spiral descent.
We wouldn't want her to run us over.
- I've done it a few
times, thanks, Scotty.
I'll be waiting for you on the ground.
- Are you sure you don't
want me to go first?
You might want me to break your fall.
- Shut up.
- Whoooo.
Right.
10 seconds!
Go!
(Dramatic music)
- Ohhhhhhh!
Yeahhhhh!
(Dramatic music)
Yeahhhh!
Yeah!
(Dramatic music)
Yeah, whoo!
Whoo-hoo.
(Chute opening)
(Soft dramatic music)
(Chute opening)
(Soft music)
Oh, ho ho.
Oh, mate, whooooo!
(Laughing)
- Are you okay?
- Fantastic!
That was unreal.
Unreal, better than sex!
Oh, mate.
My first one, my first,
first, when I first jumped,
I thought I'm going to Chuck, dead set.
Then I pulled on the
cord, and like you said,
the tug, like a bungee.
Oh, wow!
- You get that adrenaline
rush every single time.
(Laughing)
- What the hell were you doing?
- Free falling, I've been
doing it for a while,
trying to break the magic 1,000.
- Magic?
Why magic?
- You're not supposed
to be able free fall
past 1,000 feet, mate,
that was exactly 1,000.
Next time, I'm going under.
- You're going to kill yourself.
Whoo, yeah!
(Crickets chirping)
(Plane engine revving)
- Feel like a drink at the aero club?
- No, I really should do this.
- Yeah.
I didn't think so.
(Laughing)
- I can never work these things out.
Do you send the wedding presents back.
Oh, what about the ring?
- Oh, well she keeps it.
- No.
- Oh, I couldn't.
- Well I bought it for
her in the first place.
Doesn't matter.
I'll get last box.
- Yeah.
- Poor guy.
- I never liked her, I told him too.
- Good.
- He's better off without her.
- You reckon.
- Uh, sets and tapes.
- Add them to the collection, mate.
- All right, I'm going to go.
- Thanks.
- See you, Shane.
- Bye.
- Do you reckon he's all right?
- Yeah, he's okay.
- Okay.
- Mate, she's all right.
Surprised you're not on to that.
- She's not my type.
Okay, what's it going to be, mate?
Aero club, dance party, what?
- Pizza and a beer.
- Shane, you are a free man,
get out there and show
them what you're made of.
- You're a bloody dead
lost, what happened?
- I just don't want to
be pissed, that's all.
- Mate, she's all over
you like a cheap suit,
and you want to go home.
- I just kept seeing Deb in my mind.
- [Scotty] She did look a bit like her.
- They all do.
- Good day, brother.
- 20 bucks?
- That could be me someday.
- Hey,
you're gonna be all right, mate.
It's happened to guys before,
mate, and years later,
they're glad, okay, they
marry somebody else.
- Not me.
- Hey.
Hey, how about I marry her, eh?
Will that shut you up?
- Yes.
(Soft dramatic music)
- Yeah, no worries, you got it.
- What's he got?
- I'm taking the chieftain up.
- Oh, you two hurling
yourselves at the ground again?
- Shane is.
I'm driving.
- This time, I know how to do it.
(Engine revving)
- Left!
- All stations, tamura.
Charlie Taylor Dover's
overhead, tamura,
at one zero thousand.
Parachute operations, to
be released in 30 seconds.
You ready?
I can't go any slower,
mate, this is it!
What are you waiting for?
(Dramatic music)
(Plane hitting turbulence)
(Dramatic music)
(Radio chattering)
- Just keep all gawkers
right back, okay.
- Sorry, sir, you can't
come any closer.
- He's a mate of mine, I was the pilot.
(Radio chattering)
(Phone ringing)
- Hello, big sky.
Mm-hmm.
Oh no.
How?
(Helicopter flying)
All right, okay.
Thank you, bye.
- What's wrong?
- Scotty's friend's been killed.
Where's Chris?
- Downstairs.
- Shane Webster, he was 23 last month.
- Got to get the parents
to ID the body.
- In this case, it'll be
dental records for sure.
- You all right, mate?
I can get a car to take you back.
- No, but I'd appreciate a
lift to his parents' place.
I'd like to be the one that tells them.
- I'll take you, mate.
(Birds chirping)
- Scotty.
- You beat me to it.
- Donald just made you
boys a huge soup.
We were going to drop it round.
I'm glad you're on your own.
We can have a talk.
How is he?
He won't talk to me about it.
- Mrs. Webster.
- Scotty, what's the matter?
- There's been an accident.
We were skydiving.
He got such a buzz the first
time, he was a natural.
We went up again today.
I was driving the plane.
His chute didn't open.
It would have been instant.
He's dead.
I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.
- Oh, god (Weeps).
Oh, god.
(Weeping)
- Good.
Type of aircraft, altitude,
flight adjustment.
- Left, pulled left.
Shane yelled it out, it was
all routine up until then.
That's when I started
the spiral descent.
I kept looking for him,
I couldn't see him.
- [Chris] And you did the 10 count?
- Yeah.
Yes, then the air pocket.
- Yeah, I got all that.
- I checked the gear myself, all right?
Then I rechecked it.
- Scotty, it was an accident.
It's a terrible thing.
But it was an accident.
- There'll be a coroner's inquiry.
- That's all you need.
- My 10 count, I hurried it.
Then I hit an air pocket.
That could have been Shane.
- You didn't hit him, did you?
- Well, I looked for him.
I thought he was showing
off with a free fall.
I was bragging to him
about it last night.
- But did you see him?
- Yeah, I think.
I would have, I mean, I must have.
Wouldn't I?
10,000 feet, that takes two,
two and a half minutes
to reach the ground.
That's a hell of a long
time to think about dying.
- Sorry, the police are here.
They want to see Scotty.
- When was his chute packed?
- [Scotty] This morning,
packed it myself.
- Was it checked again before the jump?
- Yeah, I checked it then too.
- So, you checked your own packing?
How would you describe
his mood in the plane?
- He was fine.
- And his health?
- Great, perfect.
- Any money worries?
- Not that I know of.
- Do you know of any bad news
he may have received recently?
A death in the family, anything.
- His wedding was canceled last week.
- A mutual decision?
- No, it was his fiancee.
She called it off, she sent him a note.
- And how did he take it?
- How do you reckon?
He was pretty cut up.
- Did he write anyone
a letter explaining
his feelings or intentions?
Did he leave a note?
- What do you mean,
did he leave a note?
- We have a witness saying
they saw your plane
bumping about up there.
- Yeah, I hit an air pocket.
- You sure it was an air pocket?
- What the hell are you getting at?
- So, you hit the air pocket
just after Mr. Webster jumped?
- Yes.
- Right, thanks very much.
Oh, we may need to speak to you again.
- Did you hear that bastard?
- Go home, Scotty.
(Light switching)
(Soft dramatic music)
(Recorder beeping)
- [Phoebe] Scotty, it's Phoebe.
We're wondering if you
and Shane would like
to come over for a party
at our place on Saturday.
We're all meeting at
the royal oak first.
Call us back, bye.
(Beeping)
- [Shane] It's me, mate.
Listen, I just wanted to explain.
It's just,
it's all my fault.
Anyhow, when I met Deb I thought
my luck had finally changed.
She made me feel pretty special.
Obviously, I wasn't special enough.
I just can't live without her, mate.
Anyhow, you've been good,
you've been real good.
You've always been there for
me, always helping me out.
Like taking me jumping.
I loved it, I loved it.
That's why I couldn't think
of a better way to go.
- No.
- [Shane] Mate, would
you tell mum and dad,
I'm sorry to do this to you, mate,
but it would be better coming from you.
Could you tell them that I,
that I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.
(Beeping)
(Soft dramatic music)
(Dog barking)
(Soft dramatic music)
- I found these the other day.
Look, there you are.
You were seven, you were so tiny.
Look, that's the day you won the final.
- They were smoking.
- Oh, I know.
They were lovely boys.
Oh my boy.
- Shh, darling.
- My son is dead (Sniffs).
I watched him grow up,
and I wanted to watch him grow old.
- Mrs. Webster, there's
something I gotta say.
- Oh, Scotty, he loved you too.
You were really important to him.
And I'm glad you were
with him at the end.
- Mrs. Webster, on that
last flight, Shane, um...
- He loved parachuting.
He rang me after the first
time, raving about it.
You gave him that, Scotty.
- Well I've got to go, all right.
(Buzzing)
- [Lexie] Who is it?
Hello?
- Lexie, I have to talk to you.
- Oh, Scotty, look, it's
not a very good time.
- Shane killed himself.
Look, my best friend killed
himself and I helped him.
I said, look, why don't you
come parachuting with me,
that'll take your mind off things.
Sure did.
Have you got a drink?
- I think you've had enough.
Let me call you a cab, and we'll
talk first thing tomorrow.
- I want to talk now.
He looked at me, Lexie,
he looked at me!
- Scotty.
- Lex, what's going on?
- Who's this guy then?
- He's just a friend.
- So I shouldn't have come then, huh?
- No, no, it's okay.
Wait one second, I'm coming down now.
- No, forget it, all right.
It's okay.
- Scotty?
Scotty?
(Soft dramatic music)
- Hi.
- I'm looking for Scott Gibbs.
Know where I can find him?
- Uh.
What's it about?
- I've got a subpoena for the inquiry
into the parachute death.
- Well, just give it to me
and I'll give it to him later.
- He's not at his home.
Any idea where he might be?
- Scotty, wake up.
Scotty, you have to get
up, there's cops here.
- Scott Michael Gibbs,
you're subpoenaed to appear
at the coroner's inquest.
- I told you guys everything.
- There's an awful lot
of unanswered questions,
and you're the key witness.
- I don't know why, okay,
I'm just going to tell you
the same thing, what are you
guys having a go at me for?
- One question.
After your mate jumped,
how long did you wait
before you went into a spiral?
- 10 seconds.
- Oh.
- What?
- Thank you.
Thanks very much.
- I don't believe that.
They're implying it's all your fault.
That's not fair.
- Shut up about it.
- How dare they do that?
Look, Scotty.
I'm really sorry about last night.
If I had have known that you...
- Look, I said shut up
about it, okay, Lexie!
Don't worry about it!
Just forget it.
(Engine running)
(Soft dramatic music)
(Engine revving)
(Dramatic music)
- Scotty!
Come back.
You stupid idiot!
Scotty!
(Dramatic music)
Come on, ace, it's me, get back here.
You can't fly now, you know that.
This is a big mistake,
return to base now.
I don't think that you were to blame.
I was just saying that
they think that, not me.
Damn.
Chris, Scotty's just taken
off in the chieftain.
Look, he's really upset,
he's been drinking all night
and the cops just dumped this on him.
- How bad is he?
- He's a complete mess.
He thinks the cops are blaming him.
- All right.
- Careful, don't identify in
case the tower's listening.
- Hello, ace, you know who this is.
Can you hear me?
(Engine revving)
- [Controller] Chieftain
taxing for zero six.
The active runway is two four.
Please identify and
advise your attentions.
Chieftain taxing for zero six,
hold short of the runway threshold,
you have another aircraft on a final.
Chieftain taxing for zero
six, hold immediately.
We have a cessna 206 on final.
You are in conflict with that aircraft.
- Don't do it, Scotty.
- [Controller] Echo hotel lima,
we have a possible conflict.
You are not clear to land.
- [Pilot] Echo hotel lima,
I'm too bloody low.
I'm committed to a landing.
- He's got to talk to them.
What's he doing?
(Screaming)
(Engines revving)
- [Pilot] What the hell's going on?
Who was that idiot?
- [Controller] We haven't
identified him yet.
Did you see his rego numbers?
- [Pilot] Negative.
I was a little preoccupied
for god sake.
- [Controller] Chieftain
departing airport on runway
zero six, return and land immediately.
Report to tower, do you understand?
Any aircraft in the
area able to identify
chieftain to the north of
the field, please respond.
We'd really like to get this moron.
- That's it, now he's in real trouble.
(Engine revving)
(Soft dramatic music)
(Engine shutting down)
- Why would he do anything so stupid?
I'm sorry about his
friend, I really am,
but this is going too far.
- I'd say.
- Hey, Scotty, I'd get out
of here if I were you.
- This man hath penance done,
and penance more will do, my lord.
- You shut up.
- What the hell do you
think you were doing?
- What do you mean?
- You put yourself at
risk, the other pilot,
the aircraft and this company.
- Yeah, well, nothing happened.
- They'll suspend your license.
They might even kick you
out, do you understand that?
- They didn't identify the plane.
- Get out of my sight.
♪ Think you're in trouble ♪
(Beeping)
- [Shane] Anyhow,
you've been good, mate,
you've been real good.
You've always been there for
me, always helping me out.
Like taking me jumping.
I loved it, I loved it.
And that's why I couldn't
think of a better way to go.
Mate, would you tell mum and dad,
I'm sorry to do this to you, mate,
but it would be better coming from you.
Could you tell them that I,
I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.
(Soft dramatic music)
- What did you expect?
- With the recent spate
of light plane crashes
and the loss of four lives,
the premier's department
has been besieged with
calls for an investigation
into airline safety.
- That means every small
aviation company's
going to get a good going over.
The arc will turn us inside out.
- We're top of their list.
- [Chris] Should we tell him it was us?
- No, we can't risk it.
- Big sky'll be all right,
they're after Scotty.
- That's what I mean.
Come on, let's do it.
(Phone ringing)
- Brian, what a surprise.
- Chris.
- Brian chambers, Lauren Allen.
- How do you do?
- Miss Allen, I've
heard a lot about you.
- [Lauren] And what can we do for you?
- I'm here to look at your log books,
and we're checking on
yesterday's near miss,
trying to find the
lunatic who caused it.
- How's the investigation going?
- We're confident.
I'd like to talk to
each of your pilots.
- Scotty.
- We're just talking to people, pilots,
about that near miss yesterday.
Do you know anything about that?
- I've read it in the
papers, that's all.
- I heard about your bad
luck with that skydiver.
I thought you'd probably take
compassionate leave
after what happened.
What did happen?
- What do you mean, yesterday or?
- No, your friend, the skydiver.
- There'll be a coroner's inquest.
I'm sure it'll all come out.
- I'm sure it will.
They tell me you're a very good pilot.
Do you think you are?
- Yes, I do.
- So, this runway incident,
how would you have handled it?
You're taking off, and all of a
sudden, in your direct field
of vision, is another plane dead ahead.
What would you do?
- Evasive action includes going over,
around or under other aircraft.
- Yeah, but in this case,
which one would you choose?
- I'm not sure.
- Take a chance.
- Over.
- That's exactly what he did.
Do you know he cut off radio contact?
You ever done that?
Ace?
- Why would I?
- I'm now asking you officially.
Were you in that plane
yesterday morning?
- No.
- Did you fly at all yesterday morning
knowing you might still be under
the influence of alcohol?
- No.
Is that all?
(Computer beeping)
- What?
I haven't got any flights.
- You're grounded, Scotty.
- What do you mean I'm grounded?
I've got to get my hours up.
- I decide who flies around here,
and right now you're grounded.
(Phone ringing)
- [Brian] Thank you very much.
- Any time.
- I'm closing down three
of your aircraft,
the cherokee, the
cessna 206 and the 210.
- On what grounds?
Those planes are mechanically perfect.
- Body registration
letters aren't legal.
- You're joking.
- Letters don't comply
with regulation 18-1g.
They're two centimeters too small.
- Who measured them?
- I did.
If there's anything else
you want to discuss,
just give me a call.
- And I'm telling you, she's
up there sticking her neck out
for you, and what are you doing?
Give it up, Scotty, call the arc.
- No.
- The longer you leave it, the
worse it's going to look.
- For you and the company?
- For you.
- They will slaughter me.
Look, I'll be lucky if they
let me drive a car again,
let alone a plane.
I got to fly, Chris.
It's all I've ever wanted to
do, I mean, it's who I am.
Don't you understand?
- Yeah, I understand that.
But you can't just
pretend it'll go away.
Think about it, Scotty.
I can go in there and
tell them it was you.
I can do that anytime I like.
- So why don't you?
- Because you've got to
accept responsibility
for what you've done.
And it seems to me, if you
haven't got the guts to own up,
then you haven't earned
the right to fly.
- What else can they do?
- Lots, they're just getting warmed up.
- Just to get at Scotty?
- Yep.
(Phone ringing)
- I'm going to have to fire him.
- I think he's still pretty
choked up over his mate's death.
We got to give him a chance to own up.
- And in the meantime,
the business folds?
Tell him I want to see him.
- Chris, search and rescue.
Some kid's lost up the coast,
they want everyone out.
- Okay.
- Jimbo, we got an sar,
you take the comanche.
- We got a search on, Scotty, let's go.
- You grounded me, remember?
- You're not a flier, you're a spotter.
- Just wait here, and
I'll see what I can do.
- Chris, this is Jill
Spencer, the boy's mother.
Can she come with you?
- Sorry, Lauren, that's not
the way we do it round here.
Mrs. Spencer, I'm sorry.
It's best if you stay on the ground.
- Look, I promise I
won't get in the way.
- No, I'm sorry.
- Look, please, I can't just stay here.
I'm going to go mad.
He's my only child.
Please?
- All right, go on.
(Engine starting)
(Soft dramatic music)
- Control, this is echo whiskey Victor,
we're just about to
start our third sweep.
Nothing yet.
- [Control] Roger that.
Echo whiskey Victor,
on your third sweep.
- How old's your boy?
- 13.
He was never any trouble before.
- 13's a tough age.
Why do you think he did a runner?
- Oh, his mates stole a car.
Police came round and questioned him.
He swears he had nothing to do with it.
- [Chris] Do you believe him?
- He's my son.
- [Control] All stations
search and rescue,
this is control.
Police have talked to his friends,
and they think they
know where the boy is.
The search is being terminated.
Return to your respective
bases, thank you for your help.
- Well that's good, they've
called the search off.
They think your boy's with his mates.
- Well they're wrong.
He told me he wasn't going
to see them anymore.
- Mrs. Spencer, he's more
likely to be hanging out
with his mates than
taking off in a boat.
- Please, I know he's taken the boat.
He's done this before.
- Wouldn't hurt.
- [Chris] One more sweep.
(Soft dramatic music)
- What's that, down there?
- Yes, that's it.
Can't see Brett.
Oh my god, no.
(Soft dramatic music)
(Engine revving)
(Dramatic music)
(Gauge beeping)
- Mrs. Spencer, there's
not much more we can do.
I'm going to have to...
- There he is!
- [Jill] Oh, thank god.
- Control, this is echo whiskey Victor,
we've located the boy.
He's at position 34
degrees, 10 minutes south
and 151 degrees, 20 minutes
east in open ocean.
We're going to need a
chopper here real quick.
- [Control] Echo whiskey
Victor, control confirms you
have found Brett Spencer,
helicopter is half an hour away.
- Half an hour?
- He's gone.
- Kick the down buoy out.
(Soft dramatic music)
(Engine revving)
(Engine revving)
(Soft dramatic music)
- Hey, he's not up to it!
I'm going to jump to him!
Take us up to 4,000.
- Forget it, it's too windy out there.
We'll end up looking
for the both of you.
- Well what else are we going to do?
Look, I'll free fall.
I'll get to him a lot faster
than a chopper would.
I've made it to 900 before deploying.
- 900, you're crazy.
- I can do this, Chris.
(Dramatic music)
(Engine revving)
(Dramatic music)
- Don't push it.
You pull that cord early.
- Wouldn't dream of it.
Get a little closer!
(Dramatic music)
That's it, a few more.
(Engine revving)
(Dramatic music)
- Use it, Scotty.
(Wind resisting)
Come on.
Come on.
(Dramatic music)
(Chute opening)
He's too close.
(Dramatic music)
(Splashing)
- Oh, oh.
Oh.
- Hey, mate, let's get
you up, here you go.
- Thank you.
(Soft dramatic music)
Thank you so much.
- Don't thank me.
(Soft dramatic music)
- Yes, could you put me through
to the newsroom please?
- Is this for publicity.
- Yes, I have some information
about that rescue this afternoon.
- [Reporter] There he is, he's
coming out of the ambulance.
Okay, okay.
- A young pilot today put
his life on the line
in the successful attempt
to save a drowning youth.
Scotty Gibbs, Scotty?
How do you feel about being a hero?
- It was just a jump, mate.
- But you did an accurate free fall,
landing just beside him, I mean,
why didn't you just guide
your parachute down?
- There wasn't time.
Excuse me.
- A modest man.
We also have with us
today Brian chambers,
a representative of the
aviation regulatory commission.
Brian?
A big win for aviation.
- Yes, well we're very happy.
The guidelines established by the arc
facilitated a successful
rescue outcome.
- [Reporter] But from what we know,
the sea search had been called off.
If Scotty Gibbs hadn't
stretched the rules a bit,
then you might have had another
tragedy on your hands.
- Yes, well, he did a very good job.
- You still here?
- Yeah, I wanted to see
if you were all right.
- Why aren't you at hospital?
- I'm all right.
I've been thinking.
- So have I.
- I'm going to call the arc,
let them know that it
was me on the runway.
- Good.
- You could have been
a bit nicer about it.
- He's getting there.
(Soft dramatic music)
- [Regulator] Scott Gibbs,
you have breached a number
of regulations of the
civil aviation authority.
Under normal circumstances,
the penalty for such breaches
is license suspension or revocation.
However, the court notes that
the pilot has come forward
and taken full responsibility
for his actions.
As well, the references and testaments
from Mr. Chris manning
and miss Lauren Allen
indicate a young pilot of
exceptional flying skills.
As well, his professionalism
and courage have been
demonstrated by the successful
sea rescue last week.
It is therefore the decision
of this panel that Mr. Gibbs
keeps his license under the proviso
that he undergo further
supervisory training.
(Soft dramatic music)
- Then, after school, Shane
had a couple of jobs
that took him out of town,
and I was pretty caught
up with my flying,
so we didn't get to see
much of each other.
But when we did, you know, it was,
it was like we'd never been apart.
(Soft dramatic music)
We were so close, so
when he did what he did, I thought,
I thought that I should have known.
I should have stopped him.
That it was my fault.
I didn't know what to do, so,
but I learned that
you've got to be
responsible for yourself.
For your actions.
I owe him that.
(Soft dramatic music)
(Soft theme music)