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Searching, Sleuthing, and Pizza Money End the Saga of ‘The Colossal Mistake’

The engine repairs finally took place, but getting them done took a little bit of everything.

An open hangar becomes a makeshift workshop. [Photo: Jason McDowell]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • After damaging his airplane engine, the author faced significant logistical challenges: transporting a heavy replacement engine and finding a qualified mechanic willing to perform a top overhaul at his remote grass strip.
  • He successfully leveraged the "local aviation grapevine" to find Ryan Johnson, a dedicated mechanic who agreed to travel 90 minutes to perform the repair on-site.
  • Community connections also facilitated the transport of the crated replacement engine to the airplane, providing a suitable vehicle and manpower.
  • The top overhaul, involving the replacement of all six cylinders, was completed successfully on-site, restoring the airplane's airworthiness and highlighting the value of local general aviation networks.
See a mistake? Contact us.

Editor’s note: This is part four of an ongoing series about the author’s “colossal mistake.” You can read part one here, part two here, and part three here.

There are certain things you should never see sitting outside, bathed in sunlight and fully exposed to the elements. A baseball signed by Babe Ruth. Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Leicester sketchbook from the early 1500s. The actual, original U.S. Constitution. And—especially—your airplane’s pistons and crankshaft.

Jason McDowell

Jason McDowell is a private pilot and Cessna 170 owner based in Madison, Wisconsin. He enjoys researching obscure aviation history and serves as a judge for the National Intercollegiate Flying Association. He can be found on Instagram as @cessnateur.

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