BenZwebner
Pre-takeoff checklist
Today I had my first ever, and hopefully my last, emergancy.
Below is my initial report that I submitted to the FAA regarding the event.
The names (besides my own) have been changed to protect their identities.
It happend EXTREAMLY fast. from the moment I smelled smoke till the moment I was on the ground was MAYBE 6 minutes tops.
The first thing that popped in my mind when I saw the smoke was: "OH, look at that! Thats NOT good!"
It was never a doubt that it was an electrical fire. I used to be a voulenteer fire fighter when I was younger and I recognized the smell of burning wires and plastics.
When you have an electrical fire, you are supposed to shut down the master switch, but I decided not to. I will explain why.
I was flying inside the Washington DC FRZ. This is a VERY delicate area. It requires two way radio communications, transponders and printed waivers and background checks before you can fly in the area. My location at the time was 2 miles west of DCA so in essance, I was also in the airspace of a very busy BRAVO. So to shut down the transponder and lose all radio contact would be unwise and as far as I am concerned, unsafe. So after i shut down the lights and saw that the smoke stopped, I elected to keep one Com radio working and my transponder. All other electrical devices were shut down.
From the moment I noticed the smoke till the moment I declared MAYDAY was maybe 45-60 seconds.
I started a very steep descent from 7500 feet to the deck. There was still a small amount of smoke coming from the radios and I didnt want to wait and see if it will light again. As I descended over the field, I was offered to land on runway 19, but I declined because that would bring me a bit too close for comfort to the washington Monument and P-56, the national Mall. (yes I know in an emergency I can deviate from all that, but I was already commited to rwy 15 and I have it instilled in my blood that I DO NOT ENTER P-56)
As I entered the left downwind I saw an ERJ-195 going around from 19 as I crossed its final approach path. I was High and I was fast from my descent and that darn 182 just didnt wanna slow down. On final I was still high and fast. All of a sudden over the radio I heard the voice of the captain from the CRJ that was holding short of 15: "Side Slip her in, you can make it".
He was right and I entered into a side slip and I made the runway. It must have been the ugliest landing in my whole carreer. three kangaroos (i was still too fast after the slip). I cleared the runway and all was well. the danger was gone and with the fire fighters and I made sure that the passengers were taken care of and then i helped take off the cowling of the engine just to make sure that the engine was not the cause of the fire. After about 20 minutes on the taxiway, We closed the plane up and taxiied her to the FBO where I was questioned by the TSA, the airport Police, the airport manager and then the FAA.
They were all laughing because I was the first light cessna to land in DCA since Sep. 11th 2001.
And thats it, I had to fax in a written statement and thats what I posted above. So people, I hope that you never have to face a situation like this, make sure that you are proficient in different emergencies, make sure that you locate the fire extinguisher in the plane before every flight and remember to think outside the box, each situation is unique.
Below is my initial report that I submitted to the FAA regarding the event.
The names (besides my own) have been changed to protect their identities.
So thats the official, dry report... now what do I really think?
It happend EXTREAMLY fast. from the moment I smelled smoke till the moment I was on the ground was MAYBE 6 minutes tops.
The first thing that popped in my mind when I saw the smoke was: "OH, look at that! Thats NOT good!"
It was never a doubt that it was an electrical fire. I used to be a voulenteer fire fighter when I was younger and I recognized the smell of burning wires and plastics.
When you have an electrical fire, you are supposed to shut down the master switch, but I decided not to. I will explain why.
I was flying inside the Washington DC FRZ. This is a VERY delicate area. It requires two way radio communications, transponders and printed waivers and background checks before you can fly in the area. My location at the time was 2 miles west of DCA so in essance, I was also in the airspace of a very busy BRAVO. So to shut down the transponder and lose all radio contact would be unwise and as far as I am concerned, unsafe. So after i shut down the lights and saw that the smoke stopped, I elected to keep one Com radio working and my transponder. All other electrical devices were shut down.
From the moment I noticed the smoke till the moment I declared MAYDAY was maybe 45-60 seconds.
I started a very steep descent from 7500 feet to the deck. There was still a small amount of smoke coming from the radios and I didnt want to wait and see if it will light again. As I descended over the field, I was offered to land on runway 19, but I declined because that would bring me a bit too close for comfort to the washington Monument and P-56, the national Mall. (yes I know in an emergency I can deviate from all that, but I was already commited to rwy 15 and I have it instilled in my blood that I DO NOT ENTER P-56)
As I entered the left downwind I saw an ERJ-195 going around from 19 as I crossed its final approach path. I was High and I was fast from my descent and that darn 182 just didnt wanna slow down. On final I was still high and fast. All of a sudden over the radio I heard the voice of the captain from the CRJ that was holding short of 15: "Side Slip her in, you can make it".
He was right and I entered into a side slip and I made the runway. It must have been the ugliest landing in my whole carreer. three kangaroos (i was still too fast after the slip). I cleared the runway and all was well. the danger was gone and with the fire fighters and I made sure that the passengers were taken care of and then i helped take off the cowling of the engine just to make sure that the engine was not the cause of the fire. After about 20 minutes on the taxiway, We closed the plane up and taxiied her to the FBO where I was questioned by the TSA, the airport Police, the airport manager and then the FAA.
They were all laughing because I was the first light cessna to land in DCA since Sep. 11th 2001.
And thats it, I had to fax in a written statement and thats what I posted above. So people, I hope that you never have to face a situation like this, make sure that you are proficient in different emergencies, make sure that you locate the fire extinguisher in the plane before every flight and remember to think outside the box, each situation is unique.
)
