REFLECTOR: accident/incident

Mon Jan 8 19:47:11 CST 2007

Hi all,

I want to chime in on this one, for what little I have to offer, I feel the
need to be a part of this pain everyone in an RG feels when we hear of gear
up landings.

I am certain that I am not the best pilot in the Velo community, but I have
this...and that's 37 plus years as a working pilot.  That means I got to see
my own mistakes and shortcomings over and over, year after year after
year..only to be saved by the guy sitting in the other seat saying "Hey,
what about..?"  

If I could boil it down, for me, it was lack of focus on flying the airplane
when some cockpit distracter filled my head and drew my attention even after
it was addressed and the system and the bird were both safe and stabilized.
Air carrier accident history is full of examples of this repeat problem.
After the EAL accident into the Everglades in a brand new L1011, The Flying
Tiger Line added a first step of every emergency checklist.  It read:
Captain designates the "flying" pilot.   

I am very concerned, especially now in my 60's that I will have the
where-with-all to "keep flying" when I have other tasks to complete and
there's no co-pilot with me.  If it concerns you too; try this.  Buy
yourself a little flashing light at the dime store and dangle it from a
string right next to your attitude indicator.  Pretend it is whatever
distracter you want to make it.  Fly the airplane.  Treat the problem(s).
Fly the airplane.  Treat the problems.  Keep it cycling in your head and in
your hands.  In my head I know how to play a perfect game of tennis, but it
takes muscle practice.  So does flying and practice with distractions in my
opinion.    

Airliner cockpits are filled with a million buzzers and claxtons and oogles,
bells, whistles, whoop whoops, you name it.  That $1200 article Len suggests
could save the day I am not talking against it.but here is an idea that
caught on at FedEx which we copied from some guy they hired who came out of
commuters.  

As you acknowledge and read back "cleared to land" or at 500 AGL or at
whatever consistent point you pick, have little toggle switch (the nose lite
maybe).  Think of this as a sterile time.  Use the physical movement of that
switch as your brain and body confirmation that all is complete, that you
are configured and fully prepared to land, that "Fly the airplane-treat the
problem" cycle is over and you are now on "fly the airplane."   The pilot is
not fully focused, but dealing with it.  

Al, like most of the guys on this list, I already know you are one heck of
guy, and I'd like to state it publicly that you have been very helpful to me
both on and off the Reflector list.  I for one don't need further
explanations beyond what you have already told us.

Terry

  _____  

From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
Behalf Of Darrell & Nora Kufalk
Sent: Monday, January 08, 2007 5:25 PM
To: 'Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list'
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: accident/incident

Len,

I put one of these Gear Alerts in my XLRG.

http://www.flyingsafer.com/2037.htm

You can buy them through Aircraft Spruce.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/avpages/gearalert.php

I am not flying yet but I have it installed and when I press the test button
it says "CHECK GEAR POSITION" 3 times very loudly through the intercom and
from it's built in speaker.  A little pricey at $1,245 but I think it will
be good insurance.

Darrell

-----Original Message-----
From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
Behalf Of len.baxter at gm.com
Sent: Monday, January 08, 2007 9:30 AM
To: 'Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list'
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: accident/incident

Al 

 Very sorry to hear of your mishap..... we are have all committed "pilot
error" at one time or anouther..... most the time  the result is less
painfull.    Any thoughts on the best way to warn of an impending "gear up
incident" .... I have been looking at some of the Voice warning systems as a
redundancy to the horn, but would appreciate your thoughts.   

Good luck at getting back into the air soon!!! 

Len Baxter
XLRG   (just started) 

Cell      586-940-9224 

__________________ 

Subject: REFLECTOR: accident/incident 

What's up.....? 

Yes; sad.  It would have been a nice landing had the gear been down.  One
can always find reasons - distractions, etc; but it boils down to simply
pilot error.  Even I can't believe it. 

Less damaging than a gear collapse. Relatively smooth ride to a stop.
Bottom of fuselage scraped, slight damage on left wing tip, Catto prop
destroyed. Damaged emotions. Not too bad; considering.  Got jacks under the
wings, lifted the nose, put the gear down, and towed it back to the hangar. 

Al 
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