Hey, is it supposed to do that?

If by now you havent seen the YouTube posting of a Stinson 108 crash and aftermath, you should (http://snipurl.com/24p7gfc). If you did (or do), youll probably ask yourself the same question I and so many other pilots did: Why didnt this pilot abort the takeoff?

Key Takeaways:

• The article uses a Stinson 108 crash video to illustrate how pilots can fail to abort a takeoff despite clear signs of inadequate performance, particularly at high density altitudes.
• It highlights the common trap of pilots rationalizing away "nagging feelings" that a takeoff isn't proceeding as expected, rather than making the difficult decision to abort.
• The author advocates for implementing objective, binary decision points (e.g., specific RPM, instrument readings, or rotation speed by a predetermined runway length) to trigger a mandatory abort, making the decision easier and safer than relying on subjective judgment.

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