Originally published at: NTSB: Rain, a Missing Gasket, and a Rushed Preflight
Final NTSB report on a Pennsylvania GA-7 crash traces a familiar chain of events.
There was more than just a missed preflight. The bigger issue was not handling the engine out emergency. The report does not mention if the right prop was feathered, nor if the landing gear was retracted. A lightly loaded GA-7 won’t be a stellar performer on one engine, but should be flyable if the procedure is followed
There should be a cautionary tale for all multi pilots. Are you mentally prepared for that engine failure? After hundreds of hours in the same model, did the accident pilot become complacent?
I probably was the same way back when I was a young charter pilot. When I started to fly a twin later, I made it a habit to stop, and verbally recite what I was going to do if I had a failure on takeoff. It’s important to put a mental picture there so you’re ready.
Rushing is never a good thing. 2 speeds; slow or stupid (thanks Barry Schiff). Try running the engine(s) long enough for them to die from fuel starvation (while on the ground). That should be a minimum time that engines run prior to takeff. That detects if the fuel valve is off or broken, or if you did not notice water in the fuel lines (but did sump). And if you sump after top off, wait several minutes for water to settle down to the sump. If you pour a mix of 50% water and 50% fuel into tanks already half full and immediately sump, the odds of detecting water are very slim!
This is a certain youtube channel known for a certain 401 repair that has taken four years longer than planned and which keeps talking about fixing up planes properly for mercy flights and has yet to actually fly one.
Buying old aircraft to repair is not a good business strategy or good youtube content. I think the FAA needs a very close look at their operation.
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