Pilot Peril: ‘Kenny’s Upside Down!’ the Voice Crackled Back

Friend’s backcountry landing went sideways but became proverbial teaching moment.

Jeremiah Bigelow

Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

The running joke is, 'It’s always smooth for Bigelow.' It was. [Image: Joel Kimmel]

Key Takeaways:

Off-airport flying, while adventurous, requires pilots to honestly assess their own and their wingmen's skill levels and aircraft limitations, as even experienced pilots with capable planes may land in spots unsuitable for less experienced fliers or less equipped aircraft.
Thorough reconnaissance of potential landing sites is critical, as hazards like rocks or ruts may be invisible from the air, necessitating multiple passes or observation of another pilot's landing.
Always flying with a wingman is essential for backcountry operations, providing crucial support and options in case an ordinary landing turns into an unexpected emergency.

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It was a brisk November morning. The weather was giving off all the inklings of a good day to fly. No snow on the ground yet, light winds, slightly overcast skies, and temperatures still hanging in the high 50s and low 60s.

My buddy Brad had flown into my strip—a 1,500-foot cow pasture with a dogleg turn and the occasional mound of manure, courtesy of my cows. Every time I cleaned my airplane, it seemed like the next takeoff or landing splattered fresh cow pie across the wings.