Probable Cause: An overstress fracture of the left main landing gear actuator, which resulted in the failure of the left main landing gear to fully extend and lock into place.
Picture of the Day: Super Guppy at Sunset
Michael Ladd submitted this photo and note: “Showed my niece Sarah Ladd around the SUN ‘n FUN grounds at Lakeland Linder International Airport (KLAL) in Florida the Sunday before the 2026 SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo opened and I happened to catch this neat picture of the Super Guppy with a reflection of the sunset on the Warbird Ramp.”
A Dying Trade That’s A Golden Opportunity
Many believe a fabric-covering shop is an anachronistic symbol of the past. Yet, it is very much a reality of the now and a potentially lucrative business in the future — all based on a skillset few seek out, but thousands upon thousands of aircraft owners desperately need.
Can You Spot What’s Wrong?
Pilot Workshops has added a new video to its free series, “What’s Wrong?” A twist on aviation quizzes, the videos give you a scenario and it’s up to you to spot the potential problem right in front of you.
Cessna Piston Lineup Enhanced with Dual EIS and G1000 NXi Upgrades
Updates include the Garmin G1000 NXi System Release 7 avionics upgrade and the Lycoming dual electronic ignition system (dual EIS).
SafeGyro Debuts
SafeGyro combines heading indication, heading bug, turn coordination, slip/skid awareness, and a motion-history display into one unit.
Water and Debris in Fuel Brings Down Rarely-Flown 172
Probable Cause: The pilot and mechanic’s failure to identify and completely eliminate the water and debris contamination present in the airplane’s fuel system before embarking on the flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
Picture of the Day: Ghosts of SUN ‘n FUN
John Weber submitted this photo and note: “This was a Stearman project at the Parts Mart at the 2023 SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo. Shrouded in the early morning fog, I felt it was an interesting sight.” The 2026 SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo takes off April 14 and runs through April 19.
The Wrong Way to Find the Right Words
A flight to get inspiration to honor his CFI goes wrong in many ways, but it also reinforces the many lessons learned during flight training.