I looked back at the door and noticed it had come slightly open. The safety latch did not appear to be holding the door closed. At around 500-600 feet AGL, just prior to turning crosswind, the rear door came off of the airplane.
Picture of the Day: Short final to 2MT1
Gary Lanthrum submitted this photo and note: “I spent a night on Montana’s Ryan Field on my way to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2022. This backcountry strip is just outside the west entrance to Glacier National Park. It is one of the most spectacular places to fly in the U.S. The field is maintained by the Recreational Aviation Foundation and the amenities it has added for pilot comfort are amazing.”
A banner year for bold and beautiful Beechcraft
There were newcomers and old timers at the 2022 event, and of the latter, there were three remaining members of the original Tullahoma Bunch, the group that became the Staggerwing Club, then evolved into the Beechcraft Heritage Museum.
33% jump in new mechanics, but more still needed
While the jump was the biggest in recent history, the increase left the total number of new mechanics short of 2019 levels and did not make up for the previous year’s 30% drop in certifications due to the pandemic, according to the report.
General aviation pilots encouraged to report UFOs
“We recognize the courage necessary to come forward and report an anomalous event,” says Enigma Labs founder Alex Smith. “There has historically been some stigma around this topic, but the tide has dramatically turned towards productive and open dialogue over the last few years.”
New video analyzes accident where Mooney was tangled in wires
The Mooney had been cleared for the GPS approach to Runway 14 at KGAI. Weather conditions were poor with a 200-foot overcast and 1.25 miles visibility in mist.
Taxi test ends with landing gear coming through the floor of the airplane
The pilot’s improper landing flare during the rejected takeoff that resulted in a hard landing and nose landing gear collapse.
Picture of the Day: God Bless America
Peggy Preston submitted this photo and note: “The winds were right, the flag flying high, and the 1941 World War II Boeing Stearman flown by CFI Tim Preston was practicing landings at Winter Haven Regional Airport (KGIF) in Florida.”
A master class in how to winterize your airplane
There has always been controversy about how to best prepare general aviation aircraft engines for long-term storage, but from my viewpoint, you’ve covered all the bases and then some.