happy to be alive

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rightrudder86

rightrudder86

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Well, yesterday was certainly one of the most interesting days of my life and i can say i'm glad to be alive, because i should be dead right now.

I just got my private on friday, so i thought i would go flying on a xc to see family in ohio. it was a rare clear, but windy, day in michigan, so i took a plane and flew down there. The flight down was uneventful, but on the way back i noticed i was getting low on fuel. I decided to make an unscheduled stop in van wert, so i descended down to pattern alt. and came in for a landing. There was a significant right crosswind but it didn't look too severe, so i decided not to go around and land (BIG mistake!) There was some wind shear on final, but i was able land and touched down on the centerline, but i guess took the xwind correction out too early, and i was blown right off the runway, crashed into a runway light, ran into a huge ditch and nearly flipped the plane completely over.

I was able to taxi back to the terminal, but it was closed, so i attempted another takeoff, which i had to abort because of the winds. After taxing back i knew i was stranded. My cell was dead, so i walked nearly a mile until i saw some men working and borrowed their phone to call home. I was stranded for nearly six hours until i finally got picked up by my cfi.

Now i have to find some kind of way to pay for the damage to the plane and find a new flight school - if i even want to fly again at all. Anyway, i'm just happy to be alive.
 
Are you still a student at the school? If so I you should be covered under their insurance if they operate that way. All the schools I've been at as long as you're a student, even though you're renting for pleasure you're still covered as a student.
 
sucks dude.

But why in god's name would you try to take off again if you just f'd up your plane? you read your sig lately?
 
H46Bubba said:
Are you still a student at the school? If so I you should be covered under their insurance if they operate that way. All the schools I've been at as long as you're a student, even though you're renting for pleasure you're still covered as a student.
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That's nice. :(

Not too many schools like that anymore. Nevertheless, the student may be covered, but that doesn't mean the insurance company won't still come after them. :(

Tough one to take rightrudder. :(
 
rightrudder86 said:
Well, yesterday was certainly one of the most interesting days of my life and i can say i'm glad to be alive, because i should be dead right now.

I just got my private on friday, so i thought i would go flying on a xc to see family in ohio. it was a rare clear, but windy, day in michigan, so i took a plane and flew down there. The flight down was uneventful, but on the way back i noticed i was getting low on fuel. I decided to make an unscheduled stop in van wert, so i descended down to pattern alt. and came in for a landing. There was a significant right crosswind but it didn't look too severe, so i decided not to go around and land (BIG mistake!) There was some wind shear on final, but i was able land and touched down on the centerline, but i guess took the xwind correction out too early, and i was blown right off the runway, crashed into a runway light, ran into a huge ditch and nearly flipped the plane completely over.

I was able to taxi back to the terminal, but it was closed, so i attempted another takeoff, which i had to abort because of the winds. After taxing back i knew i was stranded. My cell was dead, so i walked nearly a mile until i saw some men working and borrowed their phone to call home. I was stranded for nearly six hours until i finally got picked up by my cfi.

Now i have to find some kind of way to pay for the damage to the plane and find a new flight school - if i even want to fly again at all. Anyway, i'm just happy to be alive.
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I just have some basic questions about this scenario.

1) Why were you running out of fuel - and why was this a surprise to you?

2) After you crashed, why did you attempt to take off again? Wasn't the aircraft damaged, and weren't you still low on fuel?

I'm really glad you made it out okay - any one you can walk away from, right? But I have to say I'm concerned about your preflight planning and decision making. Is there any other information about your decision making you can give us?
 
I am glad to hear you are okay.

Your school should carry insurance so you may only be liable for the deductable.

Dont let accident prevent you from furthering your training.

This is a great lesson in disguise. Learn from it.
 
rightrudder86: Your signature talks about situational awareness. Where was yours? You're a private pilot not a god. I would suggest some more training before you fly solo again, but I'm going to guess the FAA will have something to say about that. You made several mistakes, the last thing the aviation community needs is a pilot flying around who does not have the skills or the judgement required.

I know this is all harsh but you brought it upon yourself.
 
taseal said:
that he he almost flipped the plane and supposedly killed himself
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So, he does that, and then decides to attempt a takeoff in the same plane and you feel he learned his lesson?? I am not following the thought process.

This isn't a game this piloting thing we choose to participate in. If you can't handle criticism, sometimes a scolding, then you should get out. We all make mistakes, learn from them and move on. I only have the OP's version of this story, he put it out there for us to read, and as it is written, the decisions made were downright stupid. Perhaps we don't have the entire story. If that is the case I only hope he is a better pilot then an author.
 
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