In Flight Emergency
Some times we all receive a little reminder that what we do and how we do it really does work and makes a difference. I received this email on Tuesday March 11, 2008 from a friend who is a former student and I just wanted to share it with all of you. Remember its a good idea to carry a handheld transceiver when you fly as well as your cell phone, you never know when they might be needed.
Bill,
Hey, hows it going??? Well I just got back from Centennial KAPA after a
small issue with the Grumman. I flew to LIC for a night flight and
everything was going okay. I landed in Limon, smoked a cigarette, used the
facility and then got in the plane to leave. I did a run-up and taxied to
rnwy 34 and tried to turn on the rnwy lights. I clicked 3
times….nothing….I did it again and nothing. I figured something must be
wrong with the lights cause they worked when I came in. I had my landing
light on and I figured I didnt need the rnwy lights. I took off and headed
toward FQF VOR. About 3 minutes into the flight, I noticed that the
“clicking” in my headset that comes from the flashing beacon stopped. Since
that “clicking” NEVER stops I started trying to figure out why. As I was
looking around I noticed the red glow on the wing that comes from the
beacon…it had stopped flashing. Then it dawned on me the panel lights were
really dim and the radio wasnt sounding right. Oh MAN!! electrical….not
now!!!! I wanted to turn back but since I couldnt turn on the rnwy lights,
that option was out, so I continued to KAPA. After a few minutes I came to
the conclusion that the battery was dying. I turned off evrything that was
unnessasary, dug out all my charts, flashlights, and airport directories and
continued to fly. I was within 20 miles of KAPA and turned the radio back on
to contact them. I made several attempts to no avail, the radio was not
transmitting. So now Im in an area where theres no light, its DARK and no
one can hear or SEE me…all my nav lights are out as well. I figured I need
to fly the plane first, I climbed to 8000 and established a standard turn. I
was trying to figure out how the hell I was going to contact Centennial and
what the light gun procedures were, when I got the idea to call them on the
phone. The airport directory from AOPA had ALL the numbers I needed. I got a
hold of a guy and he relayed the message to the tower and they said for me
to fly a left downwind to 17L and I was cleared to land. The landing was
perfect and as I rolled onto A8, my ass finally let go of the seat cushion.
I taxiied to the hangar and an Airport Operations truck pulled up, the guy
asked if I was okay and I said that I was and told him my story. He said he
was glad everything went allright and I thanked him for the help. Just so
you know, I didnt lose my head, I had all the material that youre supposed
to have if something goes wrong, and I flew the airplane just like YOU
taught me, Thanx Dude!!!
By the way….I like the new look to the web site, catch you later.
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Terry Kaiser
Grumman AA-5A Cheetah
N26102
http://shakygroundzone.com/
