With the early morning sun just beginning to brighten the sky, my 1966 Piper Cherokee climbed from Meriden Markham Airport’s (KMMK) Runway 18. The conditions in Meriden, Connecticut, were clear, with calm winds — a perfect day for flying. Armed with a Special Flight Rules Area VFR flight plan, I turned toward my destination, Tipton Airport (KFME), adjacent to Fort Meade, Maryland, and 7 nm south of Baltimore/Washington’s Thurgood Marshall Airport (KBWI).
I Learned about Flying from That: Fireworks, Flashlights and Fireflies
Key Takeaways:
- A pilot experienced a complete electrical failure shortly after a night takeoff, losing radio communication and the ability to activate runway lights while operating within the DC Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA).
- Despite the loss of electrical power, the pilot successfully navigated using a flashlight and ForeFlight, executing a challenging landing on a short, unlit runway at night.
- The incident highlighted the critical importance of carrying backup equipment, such as a handheld radio and spare batteries, for unforeseen emergencies during flight.
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