Real Pilot Stories
Underwater Escape
For many pilots, the prospect of crash landing in water is one of the most terrifying things in aviation. Bryan Webster has been there, done that, and says they’re right to be afraid. Listen as he tells the tale of a wild flight that ended in the drink, and shares some of the knowledge he’s gained in 15 years of teaching water egress techniques. (Approx. 13 minutes)
Watch VideoEach Real Pilot Story is a true account of a good flight gone bad. Listen to pilots who really have “been there, done that” 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.
Ambushed by Ice
For Dean Clark, the flight was old-hat: a familiar route, a trusted airplane, and no serious weather in the forecast. But that didn’t keep him from picking up enough ice to nearly bring down his Cessna 182. Climb in the right seat as he recounts the tale of his unexpected struggle in ice-filled clouds, and review some critical facts before venturing anywhere near ice. (Approx. 9 mins)
Trapped on Top
We tend to think of emergencies as one-at-a-time events, but as pilot Jim Lawson discovered, bad things sometimes come in pairs. Imagine yourself as a non-current instrument pilot dealing with an unexpected IFR descent—then add a failed engine to the mix. How would you cope? Listen as ATC mounts a heroic effort to get the pilot down safely. (Approx. 15 mins)
Engine Failure in IMC
When you hear the word “emergency” in an IFR context, what comes to mind? A vacuum pump failure, or perhaps an encounter with freezing rain? As pilot Robert Schapiro discovered, sick engines pay no heed to the weather. Climb in the co-pilot’s seat as an instrument proficiency flight becomes a harrowing search for a landing spot. (Approx. 9 mins)
Learn more about: Do the Right Thing: Decision Making for Pilots Online Course, Emergency Procedures Safety Advisor
Fire in the Cockpit
Ask any pilot for a list of nightmare scenarios, and this one is bound to rank pretty high. It's also extremely unlikely—but, then, statistics are cold comfort when you're trying to land an airplane with your feet on fire and a cockpit full of smoke. Ride along with flight instructor Jade Schiewe as a routine training flight becomes a desperate struggle for survival. (Approx. 7 mins)
Learn more about: In-Flight Electrical Fires Safety Brief, Emergency Procedures Safety Advisor
Ditching in the Dark
On the night of October 9, 2009, a Mooney pilot and his two passengers experience engine failure over the Gulf of Mexico. The pilot, realizing he won’t be able to reach land, has only one option—ditch his aircraft in the rough dark waters below. But, did he prepare adequately for a night flight over water? (Approx. 7 mins)
Learn more about: Emergency Procedures Safety Advisor; Do the Right Thing - Decision Making for Pilots Safety Advisor; Aeronautical Decision Making Safety Spotlight
Bird Strike
It was a nice VFR day—not a cloud in the sky—as the twin climbed out of the pattern at Casa Grande, AZ. The pilot was settling down on the last leg of a long cross-country flight from Bartow, Florida to Camarillo, California when he noticed the birds... Experience the pilot coming eye to eye with a four pound red-tailed hawk and how he dealt with the ensuing mayhem his uninvited feathered passenger caused. (Approx. 6 mins)
Learn more about: Bird Strikes Safety Brief
Produced with the generous support of pilots like you.
Mayday at Mount McKinley
Imagine flying the gorgeous Alaska Mountain Range, sharing spectacular views of Denali Park with your passengers. Then, just as the stunning panorama of Mount McKinley spreads out before your eyes, something goes terribly wrong with the airplane—the aircraft becomes uncontrollable at 11,000 feet. Learn how the pilot managed the almost impossible task of flying his aircraft and watch actual footage of the developing dilemma. (Approx. 9 mins)
Learn more about: Aging Aircraft Online Course; Do the Right Thing-Decision Making for Pilots Safety Adivsor
Produced with the generous support of pilots like you.
The Impossible Turn
Dave Keller needed to land immediately—but rather than landing straight ahead or off to the side, he chose to execute the “Impossible Turn” back to the airport: a risky and often fatal maneuver. With aerial footage captured by Keller’s own video camera, this Real Pilot Story puts you in the right seat as the event develops. Learn why returning to the runway below pattern altitude is a dangerous gamble. (Approx. 9 mins)
Learn more about: Essential Aerodynamics: Stalls, Spins and Safety Online Course; Maneuvering Flight-Hazardous to Your Health? Safety Adivsor
Produced with the generous support of the Tom Davis Fund.
Pinch Hitting a King Air
Imagine being forced to take over the flight controls of a Beechcraft King Air 200 if you’d never flown anything larger than a Cessna 172.
It happened to Doug White on April 12, 2009, when he and his family were returning home from his brother’s funeral. White was a right-seat passenger in the King Air’s cockpit, with his wife and two teenage daughters in the passenger cabin, when the pilot, Joe Cabuk, became incapacitated. (Approx. 13 mins)
Learn more about: Pinch-Hitter Online Course
Say it Right: Mastering Radio Communication
Produced with the generous support of the Tom Davis Fund.
Engine Failure at Night
Loss of engine power over the Pennsylvania mountains at night.
Aircraft: Cessna 400
Running time: 10:26
Learn more about: Say it Right: Mastering Radio Communication
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 it Right: Mastering Radio Communication; 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 it Right: Mastering Radio Communication
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
Icing Encounter
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 ASI the details and we’ll consider using your story in a future edition of Real Pilot Stories!
