Some of you may remember the mention of two separate fatal night
accidents in December 2003 in the Houston area. I did some follow up
viewing of the NTSB site and found at least one thing that stood out for me.

I was originally scheduled to take a club checkout that night, and
scrubbed for surface winds that were 18G25, and nowheres close to
aligned with my local runway... and returned home only to hear about the
two separate crashes on the local news.

The same winds were existing throughout the region that evening, and
while the weather was definitely VFR, the bit below makes me wonder
about judgement sometimes..



http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?e...15X02037&key=1
snip
The local law enforcement officials stated the 70-hour private pilot was
seated in the right seat, and the 25-hour student pilot-rated passenger
was seated in the left seat.
snip


I know there is nothing in the FAR's pt 91 about who sits where.. but..
what the heck is a 70 hour private pilot doing in the right seat of an
aircraft on a crappy night like that? Based on what I've been told,
average PP ticket is taking 50-60 hours for the part 61 students in my
area.. Hell.. You've hardly gotten an idea how to fly the plane from the
left at this point.. but thats just my opinion. I also wont swear to it
at this moment, but I want to say the local media reports had this as a
father/son pair in the aircraft. Who knows.. maybe this dead pilot had
10 hours of dual with him in the right seat (not that a specific amount
is needed).. I just have to question - bad winds.. blowing all day and
getting worse all day... very low time pilot, night, right seat, student
in the left seat...

That being said... I've only got a measly 400 hours at this point, and
have gotten where I can fly just as well from the right side.. but I
didnt LEARN to do it without either a CFI or a licensed and current
pilot (who was checked out in the plane) in the left seat

Whats my point? I guess its just a rant. 2 folks I dont know managed to
exhibit poor enough judgement or skills or both in the most ultimate of
ways. Maybe some of the other instructors can use the NTSB report and
scenario to share with their soon to be private pilots about judgment.

Dave