In my previous post, I did not address the "double" aspect of the engine failure issue. While there is insufficient information in the article to be precise, I would point out that many operator's of the big, old radial engines "baby" them to extend their life. When an engine on a twin engine airplane fails, it is not uncommon to require that the remaining engine be operated at close to its maximum power to sustain flight in that condition, thus hastening its own failure. I recall a number of years ago, a Lockheed Constellation (4 engines) had to ditch just after taking off from SJU, PR due to a multiple radial engine failure. While fuel exhaustion is certainly a possibility, I would proffer that misfuelling with Jet A would not get the airplane all the way from Nassau to within 20 miles of Florida.

(Written on 2019年 02月 15日)(Permalink)

The Convair C-131 uses older Pratt & Whitney radial engines, which were great engines in their time, which has long past. As these engines get older (many were manufactured during WW II), they are getting harder and harder to properly maintain due to many factors: lack of available spare parts, lack of PROPERLY overhauled spares, metal fatigue and the diminishing supply of aviation mechanics who have ever worked on a radial engine. That they are still flying is a testament to their original quality!! Commendable job of a successful ditching and condolences to the family and friends of the missing crewmember!

(Written on 2019年 02月 15日)(Permalink)

Small world! I do remember! Hope all is well with you! Now that I am retired, only my wife has to call me Captain - NOT! Best of luck to you! George

(Written on 2017年 03月 03日)(Permalink)

The wingtip tanks on a Cessna 310 are the main fuel tanks and are required to be selected for take off and landing. The in wing aux. tanks are not approved for take offs & landings. Ex 310 Owner

(Written on 2017年 03月 03日)(Permalink)

My experience was that the Flight Engineer would pull all 3 gear pins during his preflight and stow them in a pouch in the cockpit, so that we had them onboard should we have to make an unscheduled landing. The pushback crew carried their own nosegear pin, which they inserted prior to connecting the towbar for pushback. That pin and its flag was then shown to the Captain prior to taxi, who would acknowledge with a "thumbs up."

(Written on 2017年 03月 03日)(Permalink)

I still vividly remember my multi engine instructor admonishing me to review the "engine out on take off procedure" just prior to pushing the throttles forward on each and every take off. At age 73, after 55 years and 35,000 hrs of airline and general aviation flying, I still do it! Remember that the secret to a long and successful aviation career can be summed up in three words "DON'T HIT NUTHIN!" Never did!

(Written on 2017年 03月 03日)(Permalink)

As I understand it, part of the design philsophy of carrying the Cessna 310's fuel in wingtip tanks was to keep it away from the fuselage in the event of an accident, but obviously not in the case of anything so catastrophic as this accident. So sad! Ex 310 owner.

(Written on 2017年 03月 03日)(Permalink)

Memories! Years ago, a gentleman landed his Republic Seabee on an asphault runway in the middle of the summer at Flying Cloud Airport in MSP. No damage to the Seabee, but the runway had to be closed until the airport maintenance staff could repair the groove that the Seabee's keel had cut into the hot asphault.

(Written on 2017年 03月 03日)(Permalink)

It is common, but unspoken practice on some US carriers to never declare a passenger dead inflight, even if there happens to be a doctor aboard, since such a declaration requires an immediate landing and notification of the relevant authorities. Since there is nothing further that can be done, the authoriities are readied at the destination to receive the individual and make the declaration there.

(Written on 2017年 03月 03日)(Permalink)

Gentlemen, As a retired airline pilot, you are all forgetting one very important fact; engine failure on take off where it is necessary to "clean up" the aircraft as soon as possible (reduce drag to a minimum) to ensure that the aircraft can perform as designed with an engine out. Hence, forgetting to remove the landing gear pins has the potential to be a very serious problem!!

(Written on 2017年 03月 03日)(Permalink)