Richard de Crespigny

Richard de Crespigny is a renowned Australian pilot, author, and speaker, best known for his heroic actions during the emergency landing of Qantas Flight 32 in November 2010. A Melbourne native, Richard’s passion for aviation ignited at the age of fourteen when he toured the RAAF Academy in Victoria with his father. Inspired by what he saw, he pursued a career in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), joining at 17 and serving for over a decade. During his RAAF career, he was seconded as Aide-de-Camp to two Australian Governors-General, Sir Zelman Cowan and Sir Ninian Stephen.

In 1986, Richard transitioned to Qantas, flying Boeing 747s before becoming one of the airline’s senior captains on the Airbus A380 in 2008. It was at the controls of the A380, the world’s largest commercial aircraft, that he faced his most significant challenge. On November 4, 2010, during the Singapore-Sydney leg of Flight QF32, an uncontained engine failure caused severe damage to the aircraft, triggering multiple warning systems and puncturing fuel tanks. Despite facing a daunting array of problems, Richard and his crew remained calm and composed, successfully stabilising the aircraft, managing its overweight configuration, and guiding it back to Singapore’s Changi Airport. After a tense two-hour wait on the ground, the passengers disembarked safely, thanks to the crew’s extraordinary professionalism and teamwork.

Richard’s remarkable leadership and crisis management during this harrowing incident earned him worldwide recognition. His best-selling autobiography, ‘QF32’, which recounts the event in gripping detail, received numerous accolades, including the 2013 Best Non-Fiction Award at the Australian Book Industry Awards. His second book, ‘Fly! The Elements of Personal and Corporate Resilience’, explores the principles of resilience in both personal and professional contexts.

In recognition of his significant contributions to aviation safety, Richard was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2016 Australia Day Honours. Since retiring from commercial flying in 2020, he has become a highly sought-after corporate speaker, delivering presentations on leadership, crisis management, problem-solving, and teamwork to organisations around the world, including Fortune 500 companies and government agencies.

As a fellow at the Institute for Integrated Economic Research and an advisor to high-tech and disruptive companies, Richard is also committed to fostering resilience and agility in the face of change. His work continues to inspire leaders across industries, emphasising the importance of remaining calm under pressure, collaboration, and thoughtful decision-making.