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:

During an off-airport flying excursion, a friend's Kitfox flipped upon landing after hitting a hidden rock and braking too hard, though the pilot was fortunately uninjured.
The incident highlighted the crucial importance of understanding each pilot's skill level and their aircraft's limitations when choosing landing sites.
Thorough site assessment, including multiple passes and slow flybys, is essential to identify hidden hazards that are not visible from altitude.
The article emphasizes the critical need to always fly with a "wingman" in backcountry operations, as emergencies can arise instantly, providing vital support and options.

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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.