National Aeronca Association Bulletin Board

I live about 50 yards from the airport, a little off the extended center line. This morning (Thursday) 2 guys crashed on takeoff and got killed. Apparently they decided to takeoff down wind, up-hill in a PT-26.

Now why they did this, I don't know, I sit here trying to rationalize what the pilot was thinking and whether he had a doubt about making it. I keep telling myself this guy knew what he was doing, he was an airline captain and the check pilot on the PT, but yet he still hit the ground.

This is the 5th airplane crash i've been witness too and it's not fun. I still have nightmares with the sound an airplane makes when it hits the ground. So take a minute and think about what your doing.

If there is even a slight doubt in your mind, stop and take a step back to look at the situation, chances are if you have a bad feeling, you probably have a good reason.

The air is unforgiving, even more than land or sea. So take a minute and think, and you all be careful.

nkh

Nathan,

No one takes off thinking that they will not make it and crash. That said, it always helps to have a headwind in your face and rolling downhill!

This makes me thing of the Cessna Citation crash at Atlantic City recently where the crew decided to land on a very short strip, one NOTAM'ed "no jets." It was something like 3400 feet long and a stiff wind blowing. Course they decided to land with a tailwind and on their second attempt they touched down partway down the runway and ended going off the end and into the water. (Wrong airport, landing with a tailwind and touching down 1/3rd down the runway)

They were lucky and all survived, but they blamed it on the brakes when the real problem was why in the world were they making at least 3 errors trying to land there in the first place??!!

Totally agree with your comments that if you have a funny feeling that something is not correct, that its time to stop and check everything out. Aviation is not very forgiving most of the time.

Joe A

Read the NTSB files on line once a week, or once a month if you prefer. See just how easy it is to get dead. Makes you think when you are about to do something stupid.

I was once the unfortunate screw up who tried a down wind takeoff on a short strip on a hot day. I have a clear picture seared into my memory of the ground filling the windshield and then the curtains closing.

I woke to the smell of fuel................

Now I have a rebuilding project and a very troubling memory. I thank who ever is in charge of this world that I got the chance to rebuild an airplane, fly again, and learn from a very serious mistake, a lot of good people don't get that second chance.

I let myself think that I could handle anything, I followed advice that I shouldn't have, and I was really good at rationalizing. I learned a lot that day and came out a very cautious pilot. When I feel presure to fly when I shouldn't that memory comes back, and I say something rude to the person who is pressuring me to fly. Sometimes that is myself.

For those reading this, learn from other peoples mistakes, it's a lot cheaper.