Register

Going Home Nordo

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • During a cross-country flight, the pilot experienced a complete electrical system failure, necessitating an emergency landing and a challenging navigation back home.
  • Despite a dead battery, the pilot successfully hand-propped the aircraft and navigated the final 3.5-hour leg using pilotage, arriving safely just before civil twilight ended.
  • Key takeaways include the importance of proper hydration, managing stress during unexpected events, and ensuring up-to-date paper charts are on board as a backup.
  • The experience also reinforced the value of thorough flight planning and seeking contextual weather judgments from experienced aviation veterans.
See a mistake? Contact us.

My little Cessna 140 had just gotten out of a four-month top-end overhaul and it was time to stretch its legs, with a 786-sm flight to Des Moines, Iowa, my hometown. It would replicate my late Dad’s flight in the opposite direction with a few more fuel stops.

After watching the weather for 10 days, I launched. Being conservative, I scheduled 2.5-hour legs with an overnight stop, dividing eight hours of flying into two days. Uneventfully, I arrived at my destination the following day.

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE