Taylor Hicks Thought He Was Going to Die During Midair Emergency

Taylor Hicks says his life flashed before his eyes when his private plane blew one of its engines midair ... and owes his life to the skills of his amazing pilot.

The "American Idol" champ tells us he was flying from Tennessee to Alabama Wednesday afternoon when one of the engines exploded, dousing the plane with oil.

Taylor says they managed to land at a rural airport in Jasper, AL. The pilot, Taylor and 2 other passengers are all ok, but pretty shaken.

You gotta hear Taylor recount the chilling moments.