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A bad case of get-home-itus?

11년 전 제출됨

The pilot of a single-engine Mooney that crashed shortly after takeoff from a small New Mexico airport during risky weather conditions, killing four Texans, had been warned against flying, the manager of the airport said. “'Are you really going to try to fly in this weather?'” the weekend manager at the Angel Fire Airport asked John Phillip Verhalen III, manager Harvey Wright said. “And his answer was, 'Yeah.' I guess he felt confident in his abilities in his skills, and in… (www.mysanantonio.com) 기타...

Paul Nolte

16 멤버 코멘트

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Tom Bruce 11년 전 4

I worked as controller at So Lake Tahoe in 75-76... during summer had 1-2 crashes a month.... always gave weather info... density altitude 9500 ft strong downdraft over last 1/3 of runway.. do not turn left on climb out, circle over golf course at end of runway for altitude.. caution there's 5-6 other airplanes circling as well... cleared for take off... one wintry blustery day a dentist, wife, and 2 kids loaded up a piper cherokee.. we gave him all the scary info..he took off, turned left lost altitude and plunged into meadow, driving his landing gear thru the wings, thankfully no one injured seriously... just can't help some folks....

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bbabis 11년 전 3

Gusts to 55 is less than half the story but makes good sensationalism. I'll withhold judgement on the decision to go until I know what the wind's steady speed and direction relative to the runway was. It clearly turned out bad and my prayers go out to the families involved.

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Jeff Lawson 11년 전 2

More summary details of the incident here: http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=153727

It was probably departing VFR, so there is no flight track available on FlightAware. However, we do have a couple of older photos of it: http://flightaware.com/photos/aircraft/N3484X

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joel wiley 11년 전 1

Some updated details on the 4 aboard
Pilot, his sister and two children. Another person decided to stay on the ground at the last minute.

http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S2951541.shtml?cat=504

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jbermo 11년 전 1

Wow, all seats full on a 200 hp airplane at over 8,000ft QFE to boot!

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Pa Thomas 11년 전 1

Weather history for AXX for March 3. Wind was consistently from the west all day....gusting from 30-50 MPH from around 10AM to 5 pm...

http://classic.wunderground.com/history/airport/KAXX/2013/3/3/DailyHistory.html?req_city=NA&req_state=NA&req_statename=NA

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bbabis 11년 전 1

Thanx Pa, SKX is 20 mi away but, if the winds were at all similar at AXX, they were well beyond the crosswind capability of the M20 involved. The rolling effect caused by the terrain just west of the runway would be another significant factor. The wind speed had also doubled between the arrival and departure time. The safe arrival may have lead the pilot into thinking a safe departure could be made.

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bentwing60 11년 전 1

The old rule of thumb is, over 25 Kts., GA light aircraft beware. The wind is not so much the issue as what the mountains make of it. Landed at EGE one day in a Challenger with gusts to 55 out of the NW and I didn't enjoy it and my passengers let me know that they didn't either. But they didn't want to drive from DEN either. You can't win.

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mike SUT 11년 전 2

That's where you exercise your Pilot in Command priviledges and tell them that the weather, in your judgement, prevents you from landing in EGE.I've flown that approach and departure and we both know if you had lost an engine,landing or a go-around would have been even more "challenging". Not Monday quarterbacking but that's why you're PIC and they are not. Contract or "feelings" be danged. As it is, if it was a charter, the people left with the same feeling...and might not use your company in the future because they will remember their last ride with you. JMHO

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bentwing60 11년 전 2

Couldn't agree with you more, and on all points. The rub was that the company chief pilot was in the other seat, and made that call. Part 91 flight with the aircraft owners on board, a trophy home in Vail, and a lot of experience with ski country airports. Won't finish my career with that company.

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