Dave Cronin, the pilot of Flight 811, has died at his Nevada home aged 81.

Survivor Ben Mohide of Narooma on the South Coast said Cronin managed to get the stricken aircraft safely back to the airport at Honolulu.

“David Cronin is fondly remembered by both (my wife) Barbara and I as a fine man and a great pilot,” Mohide said.

“There are many other survivors who will no doubt blink back a few tears at the news of David's passing.”

The Mohides and many of the other survivors have remained in touch with the captain, who they credit for being the reason they are still alive.

The Flight 811 Boeing 747 suffered a sudden decompression due to a cargo door failure in flight on February 24, 1989, after its stopover at Honolulu International Airport, Hawaii on its way to New Zealand.

The resulting explosive decompression blew out several rows of seats, killing nine passengers.

Cronin’s friends and fellow members of the Experimental Aircraft Association through emails to the Mohides and other survivors said he and his crew did a miraculous job of getting the plane back to Honolulu after the cargo door was ripped off and took out engines 3 and 4.

“He will be missed greatly.”

Cronin on October 3 called the emergency line complaining of heart problems. He opened the front door, turned on all the lights and sat in his chair awaiting the ambulance.

When they arrived he was still alive but died on the way into the hospital.

The Association will be holding a memorial service for him at a future date.