The chain of events leading up to this incident were extremely interesting and like any error chain, there were numerous opportunities to break it.
Picture of the Day: Final into Ranger Creek
Gary Lanthrum submitted this photo and note: “On final to Runway 33 at Ranger Creek in the Cascade Mountains for a solo picnic. The video of my flight can be seen on YouTube and below.”
On seven wings and a prayer
The ultimate path was illuminated by the failures, as well as the successes. That’s the year [1916] a patent was filed for the Johns Multiplane, a seven-winged whopper ultimately powered by three Liberty engines.
Trick or Treat at the Scairport
Almost 400 kids trick or treated at La Porte Municipal Airport in Indiana, with pilots winning prizes for decorating their airplanes.
The control tower of the future
The FAA has more than 100 aging control towers at regional and municipal airports across the United States that will eventually need to be replaced.
Garmin expands pilot training courses
A new eLearning course provides instruction on the Garmin G3000, while free video series offer lessons in risk management and SiriusXM weather products.
Improper preflight leads to fuel exhaustion
The pilot’s improper preflight fuel planning and quantity inspection, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a total loss of engine power, a forced landing on unsuitable terrain, and a subsequent nose-over.
Picture of the Day: A piece of aviation history
Pauline Douglass sent in this photo with a note: “I thought you would like a copy of this aviation history. Lucien Desjardin was my dad who, with my mother Grace, and my uncles Frederick, Larry, Alfred, and Albert, did a lot of flying and instructing in the 1930s. The airport is no longer in Westboro, Mass. Now it’s all houses. It now costs about $13,000 to get a private pilot certificate. They used to charge $2 per lesson. Rides were 50 cents to go around the pattern, $1 for half an hour, and $1.50 for an hour. The phone number only had three numbers. My, how times have changed!”
Unblinking eye to aid in safety
“Imagine a sensor co-located with your aircraft light system. An unblinking eye that’ll warn you when another aircraft is getting too close for comfort. First versions may be simple auditory alerts in your headset.”