Almost saw someone crash

On Sat, 22 May 2004 14:37:19 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
wrote:

It was a very frustrating situation- she had nearly killed herself,
apparently knew why it had happened, and seemed to think this was a normal
activity of flying (let alone damaging her 1997 Bonanza A-36)

Last week, on another aviation forum, a new pilot was happily relating his
first successful cross country flight with his family -- a 500 mile trip
that took him into some complex airspace on the East coast of the U.S.

As I was reading along, filled with the glow of remembering *my* first long
trip, I was astounded to read that he had run a fuel tank dry on final
approach! Almost in passing he casually mentioned that he was forced to
quickly switch to the fullest tank, and the engine re-started. He landed
normally.

I couldn't believe that anyone could treat a complete engine failure on
final with such utter disdain, but this very low-time pilot spoke of it as

Haven't had one *yet* huh? :-))

Been there and done that. Do a lot of traveling and even using check
lists you are likely to forget to switch one of these days.

I did it practicing approaches with an instructor.

We had been flying for several hours and I had switched to the aux
tanks for the trip back from GDW to MBS. We did the ILS, the
published missed and hold, then another ILS. On the missed the engine
quit instantly. No rough running or losing power, it suddenly quit.

It was a reflex action to reach for the tank switch, but over in the
right seat I was hearing, "Left tank Rog! Left tank!", but by the time
he got out the first "left" I had already switched.

It wasn't enough to even raise the adrenalin levels, yet on the way
back to the hold, the instructor said (in his gravely voice and I wish
I could convey the emphasis in writing). "Man.... Was that a rush or
what?"

if this sort of thing were normal and an expected part of flying. It was no
greater part of his story than his description of the FBO's on-field
restaurant.

If all I had to do was reach for the tank switch I wouldn't get
excited. I might berate myself for forgetting to switch, but that
would be it. Now if the other tank was already low that would be a
different story as I'm paranoid about carrying plenty of fuel for any
trip. I rarely go any where without topping off the tanks and I
carry 5 1/2 hours worth. I will set down when I get near one hour
left even if only a half hour from my destination.

The only trip I can recall where I took off with less than full tanks
was with about half fuel and that was from Jefco loaded to gross for
the density altitude.

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com


I guess some people are just less risk averse than others?