I Learned About Flying From That: Trust Your Gauges

Sean Watts

Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

During an IFR cross-country flight, the author and his brother encountered a critical oil pressure drop in their Bonanza A-36.
Despite other engine gauges initially appearing normal, the pilots made the prompt decision to divert and execute an urgent landing at the nearest airport, Pine Bluff.
The landing was safely performed by the experienced CFI using a forward slip, revealing a significant oil leak from a cracked oil filter adapter that was subsequently repaired.
The experience underscored the importance of trusting instruments, prioritizing safety by landing immediately for suspected issues, and the invaluable presence of an experienced co-pilot.

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I awoke early on a beautiful October Thursday morning. I had been planning to fly from Big Piney, Wyoming, (KBPI) to Meridian, Mississippi, (MEI) to pick up my brother, Darren. I had recently purchased a Bonanza A-36 and Darren was going to take my G-35 V-tail back to Mississippi.

I arrived at the airport about 6 a.m. as I wanted to get an early start on my long cross-country flight. After a thorough preflight of my new airplane I called Flight Service for a weather briefing. I was told everything I wanted to hear by the briefer with one exception, icing conditions between 8,000 feet and 16,000 feet msl along the highest portion of my route. I had planned to fly at 11,500 msl over the mountains at Laramie, Wyoming, and this is exactly where the ice was forecast, so I decided to have a cup of coffee and wait awhile.