In February 2009, I flew from my home base at the non-towered airport (X04) in Apopka, Fla., to Kissimmee, Fla. (ISM), to meet some friends and then head off to a nearby airport nearby for lunch. This is something we have done pretty much every Friday for years with the same bunch of guys. This day started out as every Friday had for years but didn’t end that way.
A pilot attempted to fly VFR home in rapidly deteriorating weather, significantly underestimating the conditions and pushing the limits of safe flight.
He narrowly avoided a fatal collision with a 1400-foot communication tower while flying dangerously low to maintain visual contact in worsening visibility.
Realizing the extreme peril, the pilot made the critical decision to turn back, climb into the clouds using limited instrument experience, and safely return to a larger airport, a terrifying experience that profoundly changed his respect for weather.
In February 2009, I flew from my home base at the non-towered airport (X04) in Apopka, Fla., to Kissimmee, Fla. (ISM), to meet some friends and then head off to a nearby airport nearby for lunch. This is something we have done pretty much every Friday for years with the same bunch of guys. This day started out as every Friday had for years but didn’t end that way.
CREATE A FREE ACCOUNT
Sign up to keep reading
Create a free account to continue. Already a member? Sign in below.
