Originally Posted by
Sunfish
We transmitted emergency because we started with a burning smell on the take off roll. Called emergency at about 300 ft. As the aircraft was just out of maintenance we were unsure whether this was a transitory phenomenon due to some form of burnoff of residue or what?
By 500 ft we were turning downwind to land ASAP. Calling mayday was superfluous as we were in the circuit and in constant contact with a most helpful and encouraging ATC/ tower who cleared the way for us.
We stopped on a taxiway and fuel off, master off, mags off and @@@@ off. The firies put it out. Damage about $12000.
If we had been out of the circuit and more than say, two minutes away when smoke started, it would have been a mayday call.
We were @#$%ing lucky.
Interesting. I had precisely the same thing happen in a jab. Doing about 60knots, maybe 1-2 seconds short of takeoff when there was a bang. Took me a coupla seconds to process that by which time we're in the air. At about 200ft there's a strong smell of smoke. No tower at this field. Made a call to all traffic that we had a problem, did a low level circuit, politely and firmly told the person on short final to bugger off, and landed. V relieved when the plane on short final cleared the way for us. Turned out the exhaust pipe had dropped off -that was the bang. There was no fire. Now I make a mental note before takeoff: anything untoward while rolling: abort takeoff.
Scary thing is how long it takes to process what's happening. maybe that's me: I'm a bit slow.
Other thing that was interesting was all the people who appeared from nowhere after we landed, inc lots on bicycles. Normally this field seems deserted, but obviously people in hangers are listening.