By the fall of 1978 I’d worked for Piper Aircraft in Lakeland, Florida, for three years. I was the assistant chief engineer-technical, which meant I had the people in the structures, aerodynamics, power plants, systems, electrical/avionics and flight-test groups all working for me. At the time, we were working extremely hard to certify the new Piper Cheyenne III. I was, however, also responsible for support of the twin-engine Navajo Chieftain assembled at Lakeland.
ILAFFT: When Paying Attention Pays Off
Key Takeaways:
- During a single-engine test flight, the operating engine's alternator failed, leading to a dead battery, loss of electrical power (including radios), and inability to restart the intentionally feathered engine.
- Faced with a high-risk, no-radio, single-engine landing at an uncontrolled airport, the pilots sought an alternative to the precarious situation.
- Recalling technical discussions about prop feathering mechanics, they executed a high-speed dive to successfully unfeather and airstart the previously shut-down engine.
- This allowed for a safe, normal landing and reinforced the importance of situational awareness, attentive listening to expert insights, and led to improved placement of critical warning lights in future aircraft designs.
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