![]() While we all learned how to check fuel and oil levels and how to sump the fuel and check for contamination, most of us never learned what to look for in other areas of the aircraft. So why do pilots routinely miss signs of impending mechanical failure? I find three core reasons:įirst, many of us were never taught how to conduct a thorough aircraft preflight. Being attuned to those signs, especially when flying the same airplane regularly, can help uncover problems well before they develop into a catastrophic failures. However, nearly invariably, the aircraft presents signs that things are not normal well before a catastrophic failure takes place. Granted, mechanical failures in aircraft are rare. The FAA, after analyzing over 20 years of Part 91 and Part 135 operations, found that 26 percent of all incidents and accidents involved a mechanical malfunction of an aircraft system. ![]() Mechanical failure is the second leading cause of aircraft incidents and accidents (human error is the top). I have observed similar astonishment from pilots who, when ready to launch after conducting their own preflight, were pointed out major airworthiness items such as broken propeller spinner back plates, flat landing gear struts and landing gear pins that were left in place. He told me that none of his prior instructors ever showed him how to properly inspect control surfaces for freedom of operation. When I showed him the issue I discovered, he was shocked. Observing him, I saw that he did not exercise the elevator throughout its full range of motion, instead checking the freedom of movement in a small range. Sensing a teachable moment, I said nothing and asked my student to show me how he checked the elevator. Control surface binding is one of the most serious in-flight emergencies and can obviously be fatal. While inspecting the elevator for “free and correct,” I noticed a distinct “clunk” with an accompanying restriction in movement. As always, I conducted my own walk around the aircraft even though the student had already preflighted prior to my arrival. ![]() Earlier this year, I met with a student for an early morning training flight.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |