Reading
about a “hand propping” accident involving a Pa-18, on the FAA accident site
brought back some good old memories, fortunately no bad ones. In my early
flying years, I had the opportunity to fly a Pa-18 (Piper Cub). It was bare
bones. No electrical system. That’s right, no lights or radio. Better have a
flashlight aboard and plenty of batteries. One thing I learned early in the
game, was to tie the tail down when hand propping. If not, well say bye-bye and
run fast and catch up or else. There were some other things I did as well. I
looped the seat belt around the control stick to apply “up” pressure on the
elevator. Made sure the throttle was just barely “cracked” open to help prevent
an engine runaway. Usually the engine would start on the second pull after the
initial propping to prime things. Once started, with chocks still in place, run
back and untie the tail. Hold on to the fuselage as you go, pull the chock and
hop in. Yes it did take some coordination, but in those days I was able to.
Just
to expand on the type accident that can happen, I’ll mention a few I just read
about. The first one makes the skin on the back of my neck crinkle, it’s so
scary. While refueling their tail dragger, apparently with the engine running,
the plane taxied away and smashed into several other planes. Ouch! Two days
later, at another field, a C-170 also being hand propped, went off on its own
into nearby planes and stopping only after ramming into the hangar. That’s a
lot of money to waste because of forgetting to do such an easy thing. Money is
one thing, but what about personal injury?
While
on the poor piloting thing, here are some recent ones. On the FAA site of 16
March there were three nose wheel collapses on landing, listed, one after the
other, on three different aircraft types. They were a Commander 114, a C-172
and a C-421, three very different birds indeed. Reasons are generally not given
on the site, so one must speculate. I have to guess that just maybe they landed
too hard and fast on the nose wheel, rather than on the mains. Poor maintenance
of course may be a factor.
Finally
there were four “off the runway” landings listed on the 17 March 15 FAA site.
All very different birds. The first was a Grumman 164 that force landed “short”.
Next was M-20k, “landing off the runway”. No reason given. Then a C-340 (plane
dear to my heart), landed long, stopping in the overrun in a damaged condition.
I have to mention that airport had a 4800 foot runway, more than enough
length for that type plane. Finally, a lightweight type sport plane, landed off
the runway and flipped over. Remember that excess speed demands excess braking
and a longer distance than may be available. Also, many smaller planes, types I
have flown, have limited braking available.
P.S. Comments welcome!
