14 July 2015

Safety Meeting

Agenda

• Welcome• BoD Updates/Aircraft Status • Safety Subject—Cross-Country Flying• Questions/Comments

Cross Country Flying

Tonight, We Will Cover

• Elements of Cross Country Flying

• Mishaps

Why is Cross Country Flying Different?

Purpose

Planning

Dynamic Changes

Statistics

• VFR into IMC biggest problem• Fuel Starvation• Precautionary/Emergency Landings

2001 Study of 77 New Zealand Cross-Country Accidents

• Weather-Related/Loss of Control Cross Country Accidents tend to happen further into the trip and are mostly fatal

• Emergency/Precautionary landings are almost never fatal.

Cross CountryThings to Address

• Aircraft Loading • Environmental Changes• Fuel Consumption• Technology• “Outs”

Aircraft Loading

Environmental Changes

Fuel Consumption

Technology

“Outs”

Tips and Techniques

• Your Attitude is Key• PAVE (Risk Assessment)– Make sure YOU are ready (IMSAFE)

• “WANTS” (Weather, Alternate, NOTAMS, TOLD, and SID) Check

Available at…http://flash.aopa.org/asf/flightrisk/quick.cfm

Mishaps

• 11 Apr 96, Cessna 177B, Cheyenne, WY

Jessica Dubroff1988-1996

Itinerary

Itinerary

Pilot in Command

• 52 Yrs Old, Stockbroker by Profession• Commercial Pilot, SEL since Dec 1990• CFI since April 1992; 8 students in 2 yrs• 1,484 hrs; No Instrument Time in last 6

months• Active in Young Eagles and similar programs• 2 trips from West Coast to Oshkosh• Flying Habits as reported by other pilots

PIC Sleep and Activity History Prior to Starting the Flight

• In 3 days prior to last flight, slept an average of 6 hrs per night

• Visibly tired at last fuel stop prior to Cheyenne• Start/End of 1st Day’s trip over 10 hrs• Insisted on 0615 takeoff for next morning due

to approaching storm, but all 3 left Hotel at 0714 and took off at 0820

PIC Signs of Fatigue on 11 Apr

• Started aircraft with nose chock installed, shut down, had lineman remove chock, then restarted

• Prompted for ATIS• Asked for “Special IFR” (meaning Special VFR

due to field condition)• Rolling Takeoff before Clearance Issued

Cessna Cardinal 177-B

Loading

• Max T/O Weight 2500 lbs (+96 lbs over)• Aft CG (110 in; Max Aft 114.5 in)• POH Stall Speeds for Max GW

• 10 degrees of Flaps used for T/O

Departure Airport

Density Altitude

• At 6,670 ft

Density Altitude

• At Sea Level

Departure Weather

Flight Path, , 11 Apr 96

Media Aspects

Summary

The NTSB concluded that the probable cause “…was the pilot’s improper decision to take off into rapidly deteriorating weather conditions when the airplane was overweight and when the density altitude was higher than he was accustomed to, resulting in a stall caused by failure to maintain airspeed. Contributing to the PIC’s decision to takeoff was a desire to adhere to an overly ambitious itinerary, in part, because of media coverage.”

Known to Unknown

Final Thoughts

Cross Country Flying affords you the opportunity to behave like the pilot you were trained to be.

Resources

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMXj7QITzA8

http://www.researchgate.net/publication/11415068_Cross-country_VFR_crashes_pilot_and_contextual_factors

http://www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/2014/media/JulAug2014.pdf

http://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Pages/AAR9702.aspx

https://www.genebenson.com/newsletter/newsletter_sept12.htm

http://flash.aopa.org/asf/flightrisk/quick.cfm

Questions/Comments

Chuck Melton (757) 812-3721 cm814652@gmail.com

Preview—Next Safety Meeting• Pilot Complacency

Future Safety Meeting Subjects Local Flying Area Problems Mid-Air Collision Prevention Seasonal Flying Hazards (including Wx and Bird Migration) Light Aircraft Maintenance and Potential Problem Areas Mishap Reports Wake Turbulence, Thunderstorms, Microbursts, Crosswinds, Flight

Planning and Fuel Management Lost Pilot and other Emergency Procedures• Spatial Disorientation, Survival, and Hypoxia• Medication and Self-Medicating Hazards• Mountain flying Cross-Country Flying

Backup

Results of a Study of 77Cross-Country Accidents

• 31 were due to an Externally-Driven, Unplanned Event– Average Distance into Flight 78.1 nm– 23 due to Engine Failure– Avg Age 47

• 46 Controllable Exposure to Risk (Over twice the number of fatalities)– Average Distance into Flight 72.9 nm– 28 Weather-Related with Avg Dist 92.5 nm– 14 Loss of Control and Collision with Avg Dist 49.7nm– Avg Age 37.8

Weather ObservationsTime—0815; type—special; sky condition—2,400 feet scattered measured ceiling 3,100 feet overcast; visibility—5 miles; weather—moderate rain; temperature—43 degrees F; dew point— 32 degrees F; wind—260 degrees at 15 knots; altimeter setting— 29.69 inches Hg; remarks—0.03 inch rain fell since previous record observation, wind shift began 0800.

Time—0823; type—special; sky condition—1,600 feet scatteredmeasured ceiling 2,400 feet broken 3,100 feet overcast; visibility—5 miles; weather—thunderstorm light rain; temperature—40 degrees F; dew point—32 degrees F; wind—250 degrees at 20 knots gusting 28 knots; altimeter setting—29.71 inches Hg; remarks—broken variable scattered, thunderstorm began 0823, 0.04 inch rain fell since previous record observation, wind shift began 0800, peak wind 260 degrees at 28 knots/0817.