Powerless airplane drops in on I-40 traffic

Memphis Commercial Appeal ^ | January 26, 2004 | Chris Conley

[GaltMeister]

The pilot was on his way from Albany, Ga., to Fayetteville, Ark., according to Sullivan, and planned to refuel in Memphis.

Looks like his plan *kinda* worked out.

Aeronaut, here's one for the Gen Av ping list.

[GaltMeister]

ping

[billorites]

He'll get a license suspension, at least, and have to do a check ride with an FAA inspector.

Running out of fuel is considered a reckless operation.

[billorites]

He'll get a license suspension, at least, and have to do a check ride with an FAA inspector.

Running out of fuel is considered a reckless operation.

[r9etb]

The pilot is extremely lucky he landed in front of such a quick-thinking driver.

An I suppose he's also lucky he didn't try to land on a Houston freeway: he'd have had a hell of a time trying dodge the cars who were speeding up to get past him....

[dighton]

Here's how they do it in the big leagues.

;-)

[Textide]

FAR 91.167 - Fuel requirements for flight in IFR conditions.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, no person may operate a civil aircraft in IFR conditions unless it carries enough fuel (considering weather reports and forecasts and weather conditions) to--
(1) Complete the flight to the first airport of intended landing;
(2) Fly from that airport to the alternate airport; and
(3) Fly after that for 45 minutes at normal cruising speed or, for helicopters, fly after that for 30 minutes at normal cruising speed.

(b) Paragraph (a)(2) of this section does not apply if--
(1) Part 97 of this chapter prescribes a standard instrument approach procedure for the first airport of intended landing; and
(2) For at least 1 hour before and 1 hour after the estimated time of arrival at the airport, the weather reports or forecasts or any combination of them indicate--
(i) The ceiling will be at least 2,000 feet above the airport elevation;
and (ii) visibility will be at least 3 statute miles.

[sirshackleton]

"He had to be a good pilot. He didn't lose control,"

Yeah, but it sounds like a he did a lousy pre-flight.

[scooter2]

"He came from the air. I couldn't see it," he said.

The government will come up with legislation requiring all passenger vehicle to be equipped with sun roofs so you can keep an eye on the sky. Of course, thousnads will die in traffic accidents caused by gawking at airplanes (or birds, or whatever) but no more airplane vs car incidents.

[Textide]

VFR fuel regulations....

FAR 91.151 - Explanation

During the day, no person may begin a flight in an airplane under VFR conditions unless there is enough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing, assuming normal cruising speed, to fly after that for at least 30 minutes

[Condor51]

''Powerless airplane drops in on I-40 traffic''

Wow, many times I've felt 'powerless', but never 'dropped in' on traffic - usually it was a bar.

[where do they find these idiots that write these headlines]

[Clintons Are White Trash]

Hey, it pays to look up while driving - we had a Volvo come off of an overpass and land on us once...thank God we were in our Suburban and escaped serious injury.

[Flightdeck]

No kidding. You check the tanks at least twice: once by peering down the hole, once by the gauges, before taking off. And if he was doing a cross-country, you have to calculate it, also. Maybe the wind picked up big-time after he took off.

[ab01]

Several years ago I flew for a foreign carrier (747-400), and met Bob Pearson. Really a great guy as well as an outstanding pilot. They did a docu-drama about the incident, and Bob had a small part at the beginning of the program. He still lives in Canada. Cheers.

[Yo-Yo]

Obligatory link to 405 The Movie.

[Aeronaut]

General Aviation Ping List:

General Aviation Ping list. FReep mail me if you want on or off this list.

[Howie66]

"An I suppose he's also lucky he didn't try to land on a Houston freeway: he'd have had a hell of a time trying dodge the cars who were speeding up to get past him...."




Man, you got that right!

[JETDRVR]

The only time your fuel gauges read correctly ;-0)

[Ol' Dan Tucker]

"Truly superior pilots are those who use their superior judgment to avoid those situations where they might have to use their superior skills."

[B Knotts]

He'll get a license suspension, at least, and have to do a check ride with an FAA inspector.

And he should consider himself fortunate, at that.

This could have very easily turned out much worse.