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We're not going to make it!' Terrified pilot radios control tower before small aircraft smashes into Houston garden and bursts into flames - but all four on board escape uninjured
Daily Mail ^ | ALYSSA GUZMAN

Posted on 05/06/2022 3:14:40 PM PDT by WhoisAlanGreenspan?

Four passengers escaped a small plane that crashed into a backyard and burst into flames in Texas after having 'engine' problems.

The aircraft - a Cessna 421C Golden Eagle - took off from the Hobby Airport around 2.15pm on Friday.

(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: aircraftaccidents; aviation; cessnagoldeneagle
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The plane appears to have missed both houses and only damaged the shared fence and a gazebo. Scorched earth can be seen where the plane skidded to a stop.

I know zero about this Cessna 421C Golden Eagle aircraft but my understanding of aircraft that have twin engines is their obviously and inherently safer than a single engine alla Bob Hoover even landing with both engines feathered.

1 posted on 05/06/2022 3:14:40 PM PDT by WhoisAlanGreenspan?
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To: WhoisAlanGreenspan?

Having flown most recently (on numerous occasions) in twin engine aircraft, seems odd this crash apparently had two engines fail for what ever reason.


2 posted on 05/06/2022 3:19:18 PM PDT by WhoisAlanGreenspan? (It's a failed virus but a hugely successful propaganda campaign.)
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To: WhoisAlanGreenspan?
Twin engine piston aircraft have a higher death rate than single engine.

Double trouble.

3 posted on 05/06/2022 3:19:50 PM PDT by caltaxed (ake)
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To: WhoisAlanGreenspan?
Twin engine planes are dangerous with one pilot. The 421 is a very complex airplane. It's systems are complicated. It must be flown by the exacting numbers. Per hours in the air, twin engine general aviation have a much worse safety rating. One wrong move at a critical phase of flight and its over.

The 421 is one of those have to be way out ahead of it kinda airplanes. It's no Seneca or Seminole. Flying in IFR conditions or in busy airspace with the seats filled really needs a pilot and co-pilot. The plane gets too busy way too fast.

4 posted on 05/06/2022 3:25:35 PM PDT by blackdog (Disinformer and Deplorable because I do my own thinking. )
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To: caltaxed

First I’ve ever heard of that assessment, do you have links or support for that argument?


5 posted on 05/06/2022 3:26:28 PM PDT by WhoisAlanGreenspan? (It's a failed virus but a hugely successful propaganda campaign.)
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To: WhoisAlanGreenspan?

Fuel management.


6 posted on 05/06/2022 3:26:47 PM PDT by blackdog (Disinformer and Deplorable because I do my own thinking. )
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To: blackdog

I remember many years ago debating a friend who thought helicopter crashes were safer than fixed wing. Ahhhhhh


7 posted on 05/06/2022 3:28:38 PM PDT by WhoisAlanGreenspan? (It's a failed virus but a hugely successful propaganda campaign.)
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To: WhoisAlanGreenspan?

There are more ways to screw up with a twin. A single functioning engine permits you to make serious mistakes.


8 posted on 05/06/2022 3:30:35 PM PDT by NewHampshireDuo
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To: caltaxed
Twin engine piston aircraft have a higher death rate than single engine.
Double trouble.


A statement with zero credibility without facts and breakdowns by model, conditions under which crash took place, etc.

For instance twins are regularly flown in weather that a single engine pilot would avoid. Dark nights, rain, snow, approaches at night in very low ceilings and visibility...and even a little ice.

9 posted on 05/06/2022 3:31:56 PM PDT by old curmudgeon (There is no situation so bad that the federal government can not make worse.)
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To: WhoisAlanGreenspan?

Critical engine out stall speed gets deadly. You lose an engine in a twin while climbing out heavy at best rate of climb and you are below stall speed. You roll right over and flat spin upside down in about ten seconds. The Baron for example. Also managing approaches and following ATC instructions while managing fuel, engine cooling, course corrections, and passengers at 220KTS is just way too much too fast for safety with just one pilot.


10 posted on 05/06/2022 3:33:14 PM PDT by blackdog (Disinformer and Deplorable because I do my own thinking. )
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To: blackdog

Not doubting your knowledge, but fuel management if you just took off with two running engines within sight of the runway seems a stretch to me.


11 posted on 05/06/2022 3:34:04 PM PDT by WhoisAlanGreenspan? (It's a failed virus but a hugely successful propaganda campaign.)
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To: old curmudgeon

Per hour of operation light twin engine planes have a much worse accident rate than single engine planes.


12 posted on 05/06/2022 3:35:16 PM PDT by blackdog (Disinformer and Deplorable because I do my own thinking. )
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To: WhoisAlanGreenspan?

That’s the last time flying with that clod. “We’re not gonna make it!”.

I woulda punched that guy in the mouth for showing no spine in the face of danger. Don’t gimme that crap about a crash landing. You probly soiled yourself when we busted thru the wood fence.


13 posted on 05/06/2022 3:36:37 PM PDT by Delta 21 (It started as a virus, and mutated into an IQ test.)
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To: caltaxed

People ask me what’s the hardest thing to fly?
I tell them the radio. Cockpit management can get way behind if you fly the radio instead of the plane.


14 posted on 05/06/2022 3:38:43 PM PDT by blackdog (Disinformer and Deplorable because I do my own thinking. )
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To: blackdog

I like it!


15 posted on 05/06/2022 3:42:13 PM PDT by WhoisAlanGreenspan? (It's a failed virus but a hugely successful propaganda campaign.)
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To: blackdog

Since I have no time in a Cessna 421, I make no comment. How much time do you have in one?

How much time did the pilot in this crash have in the aircraft?

Gross weight and CG are killers if you lose one engine...so what were the numbers in this case?

I once bought an airplane and flew it 600 miles home in the dark only to find out that both probs would not feather.

And I will add that I bet 8 out of 10 421’s are operated by a single pilot.


16 posted on 05/06/2022 3:42:56 PM PDT by old curmudgeon (There is no situation so bad that the federal government can not make worse.)
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17 posted on 05/06/2022 3:44:28 PM PDT by deport
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To: WhoisAlanGreenspan?

No not really. A fuel selector knob is turned and checked during pre takeoff check list. I can’t tell you how many pilots left it in the off position and took off. You have two selector knobs with three different sets of tanks. Each one has three positions. I’ve also seen pilots not see the fuel caps are not reattached after fueling and the air flow over the wings sucks the tanks empty in ten minutes.


18 posted on 05/06/2022 3:45:08 PM PDT by blackdog (Disinformer and Deplorable because I do my own thinking. )
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‘We’re not going to make it!’ Terrified pilot radios control tower before small aircraft smashes into Houston garden and bursts into flames – but all four on board escape uninjured

A Cessna 421C Golden Eagle took off from the Hobby Airport in Houston around 2.15pm, minutes before it crashed into a backyard

The frightened pilot reportedly told Air Traffic Control: ‘We’re not going to make it!’ and reported an engine problem

All four passengers were able to get out of the plane safely and had no injuries


19 posted on 05/06/2022 3:47:30 PM PDT by deport
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To: blackdog

“I’ve also seen pilots not see the fuel caps are not reattached after fueling and the air flow over the wings sucks the tanks empty in ten minutes.”

Wow, that is astonishing. Little bit different from forgetting to close the fuel door at the gas station.


20 posted on 05/06/2022 3:50:18 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (Instead of criminalizing guns, we need to criminalize criminals.)
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