The flying instructor, based at Barton Aerodrome, near Eccles, was the first to react when a toddler was spotted wandering on to the apron near aircraft with turning propellers.
But as she dashed to rescue the child, she fell awkwardly and suffered an horrific leg injury, which will leave her in plaster for six months.
The child's mother ran past Jean and whisked the infant to safety.
"I did it without thinking, and would do it again - you just act instinctively - though I would prefer not to have the pain," said Jean, from Worsley.
She had just landed at the airport after instructing a student when the drama happened.
"I was standing talking to the student and another pilot when I saw an unaccompanied three-year-old run ning across the apron, where there were 20 aircraft and micro-lights, some of which had their propellers turning," she said.
"I ran towards the child, but stumbled and ruptured my achilles tendon. The pain was excruciating and I couldn't stand.
"The child was OK after being picked up by the mother."
Help was at hand for Jean from another pilot at the airfield, Duncan Chambers, a consultant at Leighton Hospital, Crewe.
Jean, who with husband David has been flying and instructing at Barton for 20 years, said: "The consultant recognised exactly what I had done, put me in his car, drove me to Northwich, where he has a clinic, and put my right leg in a full plaster. I could be in plaster for six months. It means I can't drive and I can't fly, which is very frustrating."
But despite her injury, Jean still managed to attend the Tatton flower show, getting round in a wheelchair.
neal.keeling@men-news.co.uk.
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how did that child get onto the apron? that airport should be closed down until health and safety of the public is reviewed!
Health and Safety is not the answer to everything!
Funny how people are quick enough to condemn the airport! The mother must take 100% of the blame. We live in a culture which wants to place the blame as far away from the parents as possible. This is a major reason why society is degrading the way that it is!
Julia - sorry, what rubbish.
Whatever happened to "Parental Control" and "Personal Responsibility". Instead of lambasting the innocent airport, how about having a go at the parents who let it happen in the first place.
Your comment is exactly what is becoming expected from the "nanny state - somebody else must be liable, not my fault" culture rife in today's society.
The parents are 100% to blame.
Did the child have a HV Vest on I wonder?
This would not have happened at Kemble!!!
Julia if your logic considers that an airport should be closed because a child MIGHT have been at risk then we must obviously close all roads. 3000 people a YEAR are killed on the roads - how many killed on an airport apron last year? NIL, zero, zilch, nada, none
Sense of proportion please.
I agree of course parents responsible for keeping hold of little ones. I don't know how a toddler can get through the big fences at airports.
Calm down you lot.
The mother made a mistake,she was probably distracted for a few seconds,thats all it takes with kids.The pilot spotted the child and responded instantly and she is to be commended. The mother was the one who prevented her child from becoming seriously injured or worse. Until the mother or the pilot try to blame anyone else I say they both did a grand job by averting a tragedy.
Give both women the credit they deserve and PS cast or not Mrs Duckworth looks pretty good from this side of the pond.
Yes James she looks pretty tasty to me too, Steve Sussex
Guess the child should have been parents hand, they have a duty of care. Jean got hurt tying to save a child. Also the parents brought the child on to the apron. where were they?
Jean! i hope you make a quick recovery and get back to flying.
Mike.
What a joke - so the kids parents just got on to the airport - yeah there to blame, but the airport needs to stop people getting on to it.