Broken carb cable
Turned up for a landaway yesterday afternoon in the club PA28 - visiting Barrow for the first time. Phoned them before I left. 25kts gusting to 30 was a tad too sporting so I planned to turn o/h Fleetwood and come back to the field.
For the first time since I qualified, my excitement at the flight marginally exceeded my anxiety. Looking forward to a good flight.
During the initial carb heat check (1200 rpm) there was no drop. It caught my attention. During the power checks there was also no movement. I really wanted to make this flight. But to do so would be stupid.
Close down. As luck would have it two engineers were working on a 152 beside me. Ten minutes later they have the hood off. Five seconds to make the assessment. The carb heater cable has snapped. I look up at the sky - perfect conditions for icing. I would be going nowhere in it and they would have to order a cable which would take a day or so.
Was it me on the initial check? Too rough? I don't believe so. I have come to treat all parts of the aircraft gently during start-up and thereafter.
I found the guy who flew it before me and asked him did he notice anything? "No" was the response. If I was to put money on it I would say the problem existed before I got into the aircraft.
The lesson? Makes sure you do your checks. Make sure you are looking for what should happen and don't just consider it done because you have crossed it off your list. Should you be flying, during the FREDA watch for the drop. If it does not come, you should have a clear plan in your head for what you will do in the event. There is nothing like the aviation Gods looking down on you and deciding to teach you this lesson when you are sitting in a field in Shropshire and not in the Manchester low level corridor at 900 ft when the engine is running rough. Thanks to whoever up there took the curve out of that particular curve ball.
Happy flying. The Wombat