Cap Backwards

The problem with two or more pilots doing the preflight is that one of them always thinks something is the other’s responsibility.

Aviation Safety

Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at 06:44 AM ET

Verified

Edited By: Omar Filipovic

Key Takeaways:

During a demonstration flight for a potential aircraft partnership, the pilot encountered an emergency immediately after takeoff when engine oil obscured the windshield due to an unsecured oil cap.
Despite severely obstructed vision and flying an unfamiliar aircraft, the pilot successfully landed the plane by looking out the side window.
The incident taught the pilot a crucial lesson about the pilot-in-command's sole responsibility for personally verifying all preflight checks, rather than trusting others.

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After a few years of frustrations with local FBOs and trying to rent airplanes for trips, I decided to dip a toe into ownership and find a small flying club or partnership. It didn’t take long to find an owner who wasn’t flying his Cessna 206 much any more and was looking for partners. On paper, it seemed an ideal arrangement. But I needed to know more about the airplane and the owner.

So I met him at the airplane, along with another potential partner. The three of us talked about what a partnership would look like and, of course, the airplane. Eventually, the owner suggested we all three go for a quick hop to demonstrate the airplane.