Flight of the Phoenix (2004 film) Flight of the Phoenix (2004 film) Flight of the Phoenix is a 2004 American survival drama film and a remake of a 1965 film of the same name, both based on the 1964 novel "The Flight of the Phoenix", by Elleston Trevor, about a group of people who survive an aircraft crash in the Gobi Desert and must build a new aircraft out of the old one to escape. The film stars Dennis Quaid and Giovanni Ribisi. "Flight of the Phoenix" opened in the U.S. on December 17, 2004. The film was a box-office failure, and received generally mixed reviews;
Wichita State University football team plane crash crashed, carried the starting players, head coach, and athletic director, as well as their wives, other administrators, boosters, and family. The designated "Black" plane transported the reserve players, assistant coaches, and other support personnel. The President of Golden Eagle Aviation, Ronald G. Skipper (1936–2003), was the pilot flying "Gold." Although occupying the left seat, he was acting in the capacity of a First Officer because he did not have a type rating on the Martin 4-0-4. During the flight to Denver he visited with passengers in the cabin, advising them that after refueling they would take a scenic route, near