News article 9

.docx

School

Western Michigan University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

4240

Subject

Mechanical Engineering

Date

Dec 6, 2023

Type

docx

Pages

2

Uploaded by BaronMonkey2196

Report
https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2023/january/03/training-and-safety-tip- startled-response TRAINING AND SAFETY TIP: STARTLED RESPONSE January 3, 2023By Ed Helmick A student pilot in a Cessna 152 heard a loud and repeated banging sound as the airplane lifted into the air. Fortunately, off the end of the runway was a golf course, and the student pilot landed on a grass field without further trouble. Error! Filename not specified. AOPA graphic. The banging noise the student pilot heard was the right-hand seat belt hanging out from the passenger door and slapping against the underside of the airplane. That unusual noise was scary and in a startled response, he believed there was something wrong with the airplane and he needed to get it back on the ground.
Famous pilot Bob Hoover is known for his advice to fly the airplane as long as you can. So the first thing to confirm is if the airplane is developing power and under control with the flight controls. Remember, first fly the airplane. The above-mentioned student pilot realized there was a grass field directly ahead and he was concerned about the airplane making an unusual sound. So he flew the airplane to a landing. A job well done for his low-time skill level. Some years later, I was about 30 miles from my destination when I heard and felt a loud bang directly under my feet. Wow, what was that? Time to take inventory. The airplane still had the power setting set prior to the loud bang. The flight controls worked as advertised, and the airplane remained in straight-and-level flight. Below me was rugged desert landscape, so I made the decision to continue to the destination airport. The first thing I did after landing was to look under the belly of the airplane. The Cessna 182 cowl flap hinge had broken and allowed the cowl flap push/pull rod to let the cowl flap slap the belly of the airplane. Pilots must also understand the aircraft's systems so they can evaluate the seriousness of an unexpected and sometimes startling problem. We once had a renter pilot who declared an emergency landing because the tachometer went to zero. Investigation revealed the engine was making a powered-up engine sound that could be changed by the throttle. The tachometer cable was replaced, and the flight continued to its destination. The purpose of this story is to remind pilots if the controls of the airplane work, then fly the airplane. Short summary paragraph In both instances, the pilots encountered unexpected and startling noises in flight. The student pilot in a Cessna 152, influenced by famous pilot Bob Hoover's advice, chose to prioritize flying the aircraft, ultimately making a safe landing on a grass field. Similarly, the experienced pilot in a Cessna 182 encountered a loud bang but maintained control of the airplane, successfully completing the flight to their destination despite a broken cowl flap hinge. These stories emphasize the importance of staying calm, assessing the situation, and prioritizing aircraft control when faced with unexpected issues in flight.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help