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 during a night flight within the DC SFRA, losing radio communication, lights, and other essential systems shortly after takeoff.
- Facing the challenge of landing on an unlit, short runway at night, the pilot skillfully navigated using a flashlight and ForeFlight, successfully executing an emergency landing.
- The incident underscored the critical importance of backup equipment, leading the pilot to now carry a handheld radio and spare batteries for future flights.
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