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I Learned About Flying From That: Rock ‘N’ Ride

To see more of Barry Ross' aviation art, go to
barryrossart.com.
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A pilot experiences a catastrophic engine failure mid-flight during a routine ferry mission with his date, Loretta, caused by a missing intake tube gasket.
  • Despite a complete loss of engine power, an oil-smeared windscreen, and challenging wind conditions, the pilot expertly performs a dead-stick landing back at Burlington.
  • Both the pilot and Loretta safely exit the aircraft after landing, though Loretta is traumatized and accidentally doused in fire retardant.
  • The incident ultimately ends the pilot's relationship with Loretta but reinforces the critical importance of meticulous pre-flight inspections for post-maintenance aircraft.
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Relationships are often defined by shared experiences. So was the case with Loretta and me. When the tower asked if we wanted to declare an emergency, my date’s panicked expression suggested that our future together might require more than a safe landing.

The Cessna 182 ferry mission was to be routine. N15AP had just been returned to service following an annual and needed to be repositioned from Burlington, Vermont, to Warren-­Sugarbush Airport. Like many newer pilots seeking flight time, I had made my interest in ferrying airplanes known to the local maintenance shops. The pay was terrible, but ferrying did give me the opportunity to fly a lot of different models. And, to the point, my logbook totals were rapidly increasing.

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