Porter was known as the Yank pilot, the only American member of the Australian flying club. One day, while flying toward the outback, he lost control of the plane and crash-landed. He was discovered by a rancher, who drove him to a hospital, where it was determined that he had no serious injuries. Porter remained unconscious throughout the whole ordeal. When he awoke the next day, the Yank saw that he was in a hospital, and he realized he could barely move his heavily bandaged limbs. He blinked at the nurse standing near his bed. Then he asked, "Did they bring me here to die?" "No," she said cheerily. "They brought you here yesterdie."