Pilot a heroe?
 

I do not know the full details, but as I undersatnd it the C172 crash in Scotland last week was due to icing. Much is being made in the press of how the skills of the pilot saved lives, I wonder why they were flying a light aircraft in IMC and icing conditions over the Scottish mountains in the first place. Just intruiged and pleased to hear more info if its clarifies the situation.

Have a look back to the 29th JAN. Ref 'Aircraft missing over Cairngorms'.

You might then also want to look at the useful load on a typical C172 and wonder how they managed to go 4 up plus luggage each for a couple of nights.
Especially when you include a sensible fuel load to get from their departure point, across the cairngorms and still have enough for a divert and reserves.
I'd like to know how they got all that in and kept it under the MTOW ??

Perhaps they were all really skinny !!

Regards

UA

Ah but they where only wearing T-Shirts,that must of shed a few ounces!!!!!!!! :rolleyes:

I'm not sure whether there is any "official" information on this incident yet but if we are only relying on the Media, is it possible they forgot to mention any fueling stops they had on the way up?

Hell, with that load in a 172, the guy did well to get it down. As for the 4 people and luggage in known icing conditions?

Dodgy - but i dont know all the correct facts so im not gonna judge, but on the ones I do have - there is rarely an excuse for getting the weather badly wrong - but it can happen?

UUUMMMMM!!! Yes but would he have been a hero if everyone had died????? Don't think so somehow

The C172 I fly can take 4 adults, full tanks and baggage.

Correct GJB, but, not into Known icing conditions.

Hero? NO

Very lucky to still be alive? YES

Scottish instructors, how many times have you seen people hire a 150 or similar and head off into the mountains in winter wearing short sleeves, jeans and a pair of trainers. Bit of b*gger to survive an engine failure and then die of hypothermia on a hillside. But then, it'll never happen to them will it!

GJB, you must have the stripped-down model. All the 172s I rent have useful loads under 900lb (most are 850), which on full tanks gives me 600-650lb of people & baggage. Did a couple of flights with heavier pax where I had to take off with half-tanks.

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Nuke the rainforest- it's more efficient than logging.

GJB, if you're not flying a Reims Rocket (or a turbo prop conversion :))
a) You must use very long runways.

b) You have very slim friends who travel light

[This message has been edited by LowNSlow (edited 17 February 2001).]

C) Not bother performing a weight and balance check.......

Just kidding but as Comjam says they're all very lucky people.
If nothing else I'm sure the pilot now has a healthy respect for flying over the Cairngorms, I know I certainly do.

By the way CJ, I might be down your way in a few weeks if yourself and SpeedTwelve fancy a couple of drinkies ??

Regards

UA