Pilot Peril: ‘Kenny’s Upside Down!’ the Voice Crackled Back

Friend’s backcountry landing went sideways but became proverbial teaching moment.

Jeremiah Bigelow

Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

The running joke is, 'It’s always smooth for Bigelow.' It was. [Image: Joel Kimmel]

Key Takeaways:

During a recreational off-airport flying trip, a less experienced pilot, Kenny, flipped his Kitfox plane after hitting a hidden rock and braking too hard during a landing, but fortunately walked away unhurt.
The accident underscored crucial lessons for backcountry flying, emphasizing the importance of understanding individual pilot and aircraft limitations, thoroughly assessing landing sites for unseen hazards, and always flying with a wingman for support.
Despite the mishap, Kenny rebuilt his plane and returned to flying, highlighting that while off-airport flying carries risks, these can be managed through practice, communication, honest self-assessment, and proper equipment.

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It was a brisk November morning. The weather was giving off all the inklings of a good day to fly. No snow on the ground yet, light winds, slightly overcast skies, and temperatures still hanging in the high 50s and low 60s.

My buddy Brad had flown into my strip—a 1,500-foot cow pasture with a dogleg turn and the occasional mound of manure, courtesy of my cows. Every time I cleaned my airplane, it seemed like the next takeoff or landing splattered fresh cow pie across the wings.