A woman named Liz Brantley who has 5 children is in training to become a professional airplane pilot. Her husband Dr. Bill Brantley is missing out on his children's activities and Liz is very concerned about him. Liz and Bill and the children move to Price, Utah for Bill's carrer. On June 23, 1981, Liz is set to do a three-legged solo flight across Utah to obtain her pilot's license. On her way back to Price, the plane has downshifts and engine problems and the plane crashes in the middle of a forest 15 minutes outside Grand Junction, Colorado. For 5 days, Liz's fate remains a mystery and has to survive with no water and little food. Bill feels that Liz is gone and almost gives up hope, but the children have faith that their mother is still alive.