James_Dean
Pattern Altitude
Nerves still settling down.........
I was on a flight today from Gary, IN to Columbus, OH. I was level at 9,000 and about 80 miles out and was briefing the approach. Time to get set up. Tried to switch the left engine from aux tank back to the mains and couldn't get the fuel selector to move. Had two gallons remaining in that aux tank and without a way to move the fuel selector I was going to be down an engine.
Take a deep breath. Weather at destination was 7 miles 600 scattered and 1500 overcast. Airport right in front of me is 2200 ovc. That seemed like a much better choice. 20 miles ahead and a bunch of altitude to lose
Down to one gallon. F.
Pulled power way back and leaned out the left(soon to be done)to extend the useful time. I declared an emergency with center and told them my intentions.
Pushed her over hard as I wanted to be under the deck when she quit. I knew I was going to be surplus energy due to the fact that I was close to the field. Took 20 seconds to rip the plastic cover off the fuel selector to see if it was somehow mechanically jammed. No joy. Tried to twist the thing with all my might no joy.
Center asked for souls aboard and fuel remaining(I do remember laughing out loud at that). Told me the weather and that the runway was ice covered and breaking action was poor. Oh good.
Broke out at 2000 feet and immediately after the left engine quit. It was at this point that I swear Ted DuPuis was sitting right next to me. I actually think I heard his voice. Calm. Deep breath. Power up on the good, get it feathered, blue line.
We're climbing!! Where is the field at? The g500 certainly helped and I was lined up but I was hot. Landing assured? Yep. Get the drag out. Three green. Still hot. I touched down long and had to stand on the breaks. I thought we were going off end, but we stopped with 1000 feet to spare. Ruined a tire, but myself and my pax and the plane will fly again.
Called Fss to cancel and fill them in that I was ok.
The controllers were great. The training worked. Very happy to have had the second engine along for the ride. Glad to have had great mentor pilots.
I've already replayed it 57 times in my head on how I could've done better/different, but it all happened so fast. Now to find out what failed in the fuel selector. Grr.
Oh, waitress? Martini please.
I was on a flight today from Gary, IN to Columbus, OH. I was level at 9,000 and about 80 miles out and was briefing the approach. Time to get set up. Tried to switch the left engine from aux tank back to the mains and couldn't get the fuel selector to move. Had two gallons remaining in that aux tank and without a way to move the fuel selector I was going to be down an engine.
Take a deep breath. Weather at destination was 7 miles 600 scattered and 1500 overcast. Airport right in front of me is 2200 ovc. That seemed like a much better choice. 20 miles ahead and a bunch of altitude to lose
Down to one gallon. F.
Pulled power way back and leaned out the left(soon to be done)to extend the useful time. I declared an emergency with center and told them my intentions.
Pushed her over hard as I wanted to be under the deck when she quit. I knew I was going to be surplus energy due to the fact that I was close to the field. Took 20 seconds to rip the plastic cover off the fuel selector to see if it was somehow mechanically jammed. No joy. Tried to twist the thing with all my might no joy.
Center asked for souls aboard and fuel remaining(I do remember laughing out loud at that). Told me the weather and that the runway was ice covered and breaking action was poor. Oh good.
Broke out at 2000 feet and immediately after the left engine quit. It was at this point that I swear Ted DuPuis was sitting right next to me. I actually think I heard his voice. Calm. Deep breath. Power up on the good, get it feathered, blue line.
We're climbing!! Where is the field at? The g500 certainly helped and I was lined up but I was hot. Landing assured? Yep. Get the drag out. Three green. Still hot. I touched down long and had to stand on the breaks. I thought we were going off end, but we stopped with 1000 feet to spare. Ruined a tire, but myself and my pax and the plane will fly again.
Called Fss to cancel and fill them in that I was ok.
The controllers were great. The training worked. Very happy to have had the second engine along for the ride. Glad to have had great mentor pilots.
I've already replayed it 57 times in my head on how I could've done better/different, but it all happened so fast. Now to find out what failed in the fuel selector. Grr.
Oh, waitress? Martini please.
