Listening to That Inner Pilot Voice

Consider the lesson learned when it comes to ignoring the warning sign of an impending failure.

Robert Kail

Friday, September 20, 2024 at 08:45 AM ET

Verified

Edited By: tccjeremy

When the little pilot voice says, 'all is not right here,' pause to evaluate what’s going on. [Image: Joel Kimmel]

Key Takeaways:

A pilot experienced a total electrical failure during a nighttime flight with family, resulting in a challenging no-radio, no-transponder, no-lights, and no-flaps landing.
Prior to the incident, the pilot noticed and dismissed subtle warning signs, such as an ammeter discharge and scratchy radio, underscoring the risk of ignoring potential equipment issues.
The successful emergency landing relied on the pilot's prior no-flap landing training, effective communication through ATC using light gun signals, and maintaining composure.
Key takeaways emphasize the importance of thorough instrument scanning, consistent recurrent training, utilizing ATC services, and never overlooking early indicators of a problem.

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My story begins with two preliminary events, each with a clue as to the nature of the main event.

First, in April 1996, I had spent an hour in recurrent training in my Skyhawk. We had done some air work, including steep turns and slow flight, as well as some partial panel flying. As we returned to the Purdue University Airport (KLAF), my instructor suggested a no-flap landing, something I had not practiced since primary training nearly 10 years previously. It went well, and I was reminded that no-flap landings are faster and with a more nose-high attitude.