Dom is killed in a helicopter accident that also severely injures String. Dom's niece, Jo, inherits and takes charge of Santini Air. The Company sends Locke to regain possession of Airwolf, he recruits Major Mike Rivers ,an Air Force pilot to help him find and fly the craft. Together they rescue St. John from a jungle prison and he and Jo round out the new Airwolf team.

St. John is following Jo in a bi-plane as she tries out a new navigation device in a helicopter over an area of wilderness, when her helicopter is suddenly struck from the ground by a laser-beam that sends her chopper crashing down. St. John's plane is also hit, but he manages to land in the nearby town of Santa Mira before he looses consciousness. Waking up the next day in the local hospital, he is infuriated that nobody seems to believe his story and is out looking for Jo.