Real Pilot Stories
Real Pilot Stories
Each Real Pilot Story is a true account of a good flight gone bad. Listen to pilots who really have “been there, done that” (and survived) tell their harrowing tales in hopes of helping the rest of us become better pilots. All presentations contain audio. In order to view the presentations, a Flash plug-in is required.
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Vacuum Failure in IMC
Donna Wilt’s vacuum failure was in solid IMC. And thunderstorms.
Aircraft: Cessna Cardinal
Running time: 11:14
Learn more about: Say Intentions: When You Need ATCs Help; Pneumatic Systems minicourse; WeatherWise: Thunderstorms and ATC; Pinch-Hitter® course
Toddler Overboard!
A three-year-old accidentally opened the door at 10,000 feet.
Aircraft: Cessna 401
Running time: 3:45
Learn more about: Say Intentions: When You Need ATCs Help
Three Seconds, Three Choices
Relinquishing PIC authority is never a good idea.
Aircraft: Vans RV
Running time: 5:27
Learn more about: Weather Wise: Ceiling and Visibility, Do the Right Thing: Decision-Making for Pilots, and Emergency Procedures
Power Loss on Takeoff
When the engine quits at 200 feet, there’s not much time to decide.
Aircraft: Piper Lance
Running time: 4:44
Learn more about: Engine and Propeller
VFR in a Snowstorm
Emergency landing on a snowy, muddy road near Wooster, Ohio.
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Running time: 2:48
Learn more about: Weather
Iceman
In-flight icing encounter near Bedford, Pennsylvania.
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Running time: 11:58
Learn more about: Aircraft Icing
Cemetery Crash
A catastrophic engine failure near Knoxville, Tennessee.
Aircraft: Beechcraft Bonanza
Running time: 3:03
Learn more about: Aeronautical Decision-Making
Snake in the Airplane
In-flight distraction near Gallipolis, Ohio.
Aircraft: Piper Cherokee (PA 28-140)
Running time: 2:02
Learn more about: Spring Preflight Considerations
Mountain Crash
Density altitude accident in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Running time: 2:16
Learn more about: Mountain Flying
NTSB Accident Number: SEA05LA145
Prop Attack!
A hand-propping accident near Swansboro, North Carolina.
Aircraft: Cessna Cardinal (C177)
Running time: 2:12
Learn more about: Engine and Propeller Safety
Special appreciation to the Herrick Foundation for its support of safety education.
Ever had a close call in an airplane? Could others learn from your experience? Send ASF the details and we’ll consider using your story in a future edition of Real Pilot Stories!
Updated Tuesday, April 22, 2008
