I'm not saying the deceased is a novice, but there's a large canyon between "it can happen to anyone" and being unprepared to handle systems failure/alternate crosschecks in IMC behind single pilot turbines. A couple drills once a year at a sim won't do squat for a non-recent avocational flyer behind a de facto part 25 turbine. This accident is a glaring example of that to me, much to the grimace of the upper class peanut gallery.
Had this autopilot/electrics failure occurred in VMC, the deceased most likely would still be with us. I think his level of experience would have supported that outcome. I call it: "stay in your f--ng lane" ADM. I exercise it in my own recreational flying, even as a pro pilot. In my case, my equipment limits my options, so I respect that limitation and scale back my IMC incursions to those I can handle in the absence of an attitude indicator, which is very small since I have little tolerance for N-B-A in recreational flying, but cannot afford redundant AHRS based electric PFDs/AIs in my rat trap. If I was a well to do non-pro, and my livelihood did not afford me the time to pursue recurrent training and flying recency to the level of a professional, I'd accept that opportunity cost and scale back my flying below that of the capabilities of the aircraft. No ego, no harm no foul. There are people on this board who fly all their lives across the continent VFR-only. I think some extra-lite-IFR in turbine equipment is still a lot of capability in the aggregate, but with a lot less coffin corners. Just thinking out loud.
Let's stay humble out there folks, this isn't work, its supposed to be fun.
I had finally figured out that It's the Bravo that has the emergency exit across from the main door. Thanks for the info!
