Hi there,

As witness to Dave's crash and his becoming at one with the trees at OFT, it was f***ing scary to watch and likewise surprising to see him walk away. He really did make the best decision possible and everyone here is damn proud of him.

However, his rendition of '(I did it) My Way' in the pub that night left a lot to be desired....stick to the flying Goose!

F

Fan-bloody-tastic !!!!!!

Great post .... sure does sound like the Right Stuff !!!!!

Just to let you all know I passed the skills test on my last day in the US, had planned to take it the day before but weather wasnt good enough.

Horahhh!!!!


Look out below everyone!:D

Good effort, Ridders, glad to see you are flying again.

Hope you didn't read any criticism in what I wrote, none was intended. I suspect you are the only one here that knows how he would cope in the circumstances, and you can chalk that up as a success: live to fly another day.

Try not to make a habit of it :) Instuctors worry about their charges.

Well done on the skills test. Happy flying in safe skies!

I am thinking about going to Orlando Flight Training for my PPL.
Does anyone know why the engine quit ? Is this common ?
My family is worried.

Cheers.

It is not common anywhere. I doubt it is significantly more so at Orlando. If it happened a lot someone would notice and shut them down! Even in the US the industry is fairly strictly regulated and I believe OFT is CAA-approved as well. Is Orlando the one owned by Cabair?

Straight ahead
 

My instructor said that if there is nowhere to go then go straight into wind (straight ahead or within 30 degrees) as he would rather hit the ground at stall speed minus wind speed than stall speed plus wind speed.

engine failure
 

Knowing the airport and having a similar experience at another US airport i can say,

Well done matey!!!!!

As long as you walk away, thats all that matters. Make a decision and stick to it, at the end of the day planes can be replaced.

Good luck in future

:ok:

im just glad you missed the winghouse! ooohh those nice ladies
the fire house on the other hand would be a good target .

lol, the winghouse. dont want to hurt those girls!!!:mad:

Just to support Ridders & to build a better picture for everybody I have provided this photo of the t/off from RWY 33 (or approach to RWY 15). I flew at OFT a couple of years ago & I took this shot from N80FT (warrior) ! You can just see the start of Highway 192 in the bottom of the picture.


http://mysite.freeserve.com/space_odyssey/MVC_779F.JPG

Personally I would have done a half loop, then rolled it to straight & Level to turn back on yourself, a much safer action than a 180 turn !!!!!!!!!!

Hi Dave
 

Dave hi - james here - we were at OFT together with scott/kath etc - how are u after the crash? it appears you are something of a hero! well you are my hero as i was due to have the plane after you! dam maintenance - all the planes at OFT are shocking!
i am now at oxford doing the ATPLs and is a far cry from OFT - they are so professional by comparison - can't believe someone actually recommended OFT to me!
hope u are well - i wouldnt tell your aeroplane consortium about this, but it appears u already have.
regards
Capt JP

What a Picture
 

Space_Odessey - thanks for the picture, it brings back memories, thats for sure.

I remember looking ahead and thinking: Land ahead - whooa theres absolutely nowhere to bloody go - arghh!

Then I remember looking over my left shoulder and seeing a clearing and heading there. I never quite made it and the trees came up sooo fast. I must admit I managed a stonking flare, at treetop height as the wheels started going in (wheayy! not something many student pilots have got to practice eh). 180deg is a bit of an exageration, but it wasnt a land ahead for sure.

In that picture you can see the sheraton hotel on the left I think, and the area I ended up in, somewhere above that large warehouse looking thing on the right.

Busz: No way I could have headed for Winghouse, what a place:ok: Did visit many a time afterwards though
:cool:

Send Clowns - No Problems Totally understood. :)

James - Great to hear from you! Ive met up with Kaptain Kath about a month ago. Will PM you with my contact details...
Your right about the group james, they are now all calling me "Almost". (Almost as many landings as takeoffs).:hmm:

Meantime - stay safe everyone, and remember it CAN happen. Ive read many a report and realise I am very lucky, many have landed on nice clear areas ahead only to stuff the plane in a ditch or hedge, flip it and come off worse.

Finally if your in ever Shoreham the one to watch out for is the only totally Black (yes thats right) C150 based there. Its so we dont show up on radar......

Cheers all
Almost

NTSB
 

Interesting report:

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows.
A loss of engine power due to inadequate maintenance.

Occurrence #1: LOSS OF ENGINE POWER(PARTIAL) - MECH FAILURE/MALF
Phase of Operation: TAKEOFF - INITIAL CLIMB
Findings
1. (C) MAINTENANCE - INADEQUATE - COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL
----------
Occurrence #2: IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH OBJECT
Phase of Operation: MANEUVERING - TURN TO LANDING AREA (EMERGENCY)
Findings
2. OBJECT - TREE(S)
Findings Legend: (C) = Cause, (F) = Factor

The FAA inspector who responded to the accident stated that several discrepancies were found during the postaccident
examination of the engine. The shielding was separated on five of the eight ignition leads, the No. 2 cylinder ignition lead was
misfiring into the shielding, and there was excessive play in the carburetor throttle shaft. The contacts on the distributor blocks of
both magnetos were burned and worn, and the fuel screen was very dirty.

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?e...10X01509&key=1

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/GenPDF.asp?...03LA179&rpt=fi

Ridders, did you finish up out of pocket over the crash?

He went to OFT ! He was out of pocket as soon as he walked through the door !
:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

Good instructors though:D :D :D

Phew that was close!!

Looking at that maint. report...so glad I decided not to choose OFT!

(And, may I say, well done on getting out in one piece sir!)