Pilot surprises son on flight home from deployment

Pilot Mario Lopes couldn’t believe the odds.

His son, Mario Lopes was returning from Kuwait April 14 after a nine-month deployment, according to Fox 5.

Lopes also noticed United Airlines, where he works, had an opening on a military charter flight from Frankfurt, Germany, to Norfolk, Virginia, that same day.

Lopes knew he had to pilot that plane.

"I told my wife that this couldn't be a coincidence," Lopes told ABC News. "No one could confirm or deny if he would actually be a passenger on my aircraft, but I knew I had to take the chance and find out."

That morning Lopes briefed the crew about his plan. The lead flight attendant kept the younger Lopes' attention with a bag of his favorite cookies, according to ABC News.

The elder Lopes made his surprise entrance before takeoff, according to Fox 5.

"I made my way behind him and asked, 'First Lieutenant Lopes, what are you doing on my aircraft?'" Lopes told ABC News. "When he turned around we embraced for as long as I could hold him. I cannot express the emotions I felt holding my son after not seeing him for so long."

The moment was captured on video and shared to YouTube. Even if it wasn't, it's something the father will never forget.

"I have been flying since I was 17, I've worked for multiple companies prior to my 27-year career at United," Lopes told ABC News. "I've had a lot of memories, but this flight is by far the most important to me."

Cox Media Group