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 pilot and his CFI brother encountered a critical oil pressure drop and a significant oil leak in their Bonanza A-36.
Despite the engine still running, they made a prompt, unplanned landing at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where a local mechanic quickly identified and repaired a cracked oil filter adapter.
The experience underscored the importance of trusting aircraft gauges, acting decisively by landing for potential issues, and the invaluable presence of an experienced pilot onboard.

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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.