Buddy System

Normally, I might have panicked, but with my experienced copilot at my side, I stayed calm. We talked through our options and decisions along as I continued to fly the plane. I began a series of small adjustments to the throttle and mixture to see how the engine responded. We quickly discovered these changes only made matters worse, so we left the settings as is. My buddy reminded me to stay high-altitude is our friend-and we looked for landing spots in case things deteriorated.

Editorial Staff

Sunday, June 02, 2019 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

One new APS class is Six Essential Considerations in All Airplane Upset Recoveries. APS

Key Takeaways:

While on a cross-country flight, the pilot experienced a sudden engine issue (lost cylinder #4) in their new Cessna 182S during descent, causing rough running and significant vibration.
Guided by an experienced co-pilot, the pilot maintained composure, stayed at a higher altitude, maintained speed to avoid critical engine settings, and executed a full-rudder slip for a safe landing after pulling the throttle to idle.
The incident highlighted the crucial role of the "buddy system" for crisis management and led the pilot to install an engine monitor for future preventative diagnostics.

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Having recently purchased my Cessna 182S and receiving my high-performance endorsement, it was time for a cross-country flight to learn how to fly my plane. I had approximately 100 hours of experience in 172s and 6.4 hours in my 182.

I’m an avid scuba diver so I prefer to fly like I dive—with a buddy that can fly as well. I flew from Northern California to Southern California to pick up my buddy, a commercial pilot who has been flying for over 30 years. We then set our course for Lake Havasu City, Ariz. We had a smooth ride as we flew the three-hour leg to Lake Havasu.