Question...

[Murdoughnut]

On my way to work today I see a Baron sitting on the ramp with #2 running and a mechanic (possibly) looking into a bay on the outside of that wing. As I drove by the side I noticed something alarming - nobody in the cockpit. I'm also pretty sure there were no tie downs being employed, which would make sense given where it was at.

Is there any scenario where this is OK? I was shocked to see it myself, but I thought I'd ask on here to see if this is SOP for an A&P.

 

[USAviationRecruiter]

Was it chocked?

 

[tomokc]

Chocks aren't going to hold a Baron if the throttle gets goosed.

 

[SteveCostello]

I don't see how anything could possibly go wrong with that...

 

[tiredcfi]

Is there any scenario where this is OK? NO.
I was shocked to see it myself, but I thought I'd ask on here to see if this is SOP for an A&P. NO.

There really isn't any reason the controls should be unoccupied unless the airplane is tied down. Otherwise, it would be perfectly normal to have someone at the controls and the wheels chocked with an engine running for MX purposes. That defies common sense. Source: I am an ATP/A&P

 

[boondr]

I don't see how anything could possibly go wrong with that...

Speed tape will fix that.

 

[rframe]

I instantly had visions of 47 seconds in to this video

 

[JordanD]

I instantly had visions of 47 seconds in to this video

Open another window with the Benny Hill theme playing and enjoy. Then feel kinda bad.

 

[Murdoughnut]

Was it chocked?

It very well might have been.

 

[CFI A&P]

Well, I regularly hand prop airplanes and go flying while solo. That statement will generate some debate alone...

Was the baron at idle, say checking for an oil leak after oil change or did it look like it had some decent manifold pressure going?

Source: Luscombe & Cub driver. Also an ATP - A&P.

 

[MikeOH58]

I instantly had visions of 47 seconds in to this video

Wow that is scary

 

[rframe]

Wow that is scary

That guy was seriously lucky that he only got run over by the tailwheel, easily could've been blended.

 

[Murdoughnut]

Well, I regularly hand prop airplanes and go flying while solo. That statement will generate some debate alone...

Was the baron at idle, say checking for an oil leak after oil change or did it look like it had some decent manifold pressure going?

Source: Luscombe & Cub driver. Also an ATP - A&P.

Looked to be at idle - just on one engine.

 

[Dan208B]

Well, I regularly hand prop airplanes and go flying while solo. That statement will generate some debate alone...

Was the baron at idle, say checking for an oil leak after oil change or did it look like it had some decent manifold pressure going?

Source: Luscombe & Cub driver. Also an ATP - A&P.

Oh man you're so crazy! Haha all joking aside, there will be folks that don't understand. But as you well know, done safely and properly it shouldn't be an issue. I flew a J5 for a long time with no electrical system and 75% of my flights were alone.

 

[ScorpionStinger]

Red knob..... Pull the red knob!!!!

 

[Roger Roger]

See, I'm sure it CAN be done safely, but where I sit, if it goes pear shaped, I do NOT want to be explaining to the boss how I thought it would be fine as he extracts the crinkled wreckage of one of The Company's planes from the hangar next door.

 

[MQ-1 Driver]

Or more recently, this.

 

[bkey79]

Or this...

Might need a fresh coat of paint..

 

[A150K]

Or this...

Might need a fresh coat of paint..

How the hell did that happen?

 

[Stone Cold]

Extra ventilation!