I bet he had a bad case of get-there-itis.
https://generalaviationnews.com/2013/05/20/protect-yourself-from-get-there-itis/
Damn, night, single engine, new to them airplane, did they have a flashlight, a handheld radio charged up, things you wouldn’t fly at night without in that aircraft. was it really that important to fly back at night?
No one should want to second guess the reasons, but in light of what happened, and for those still around and flying use this flight as a lesson in flight planning related to your next night flight.
I believe the two pilots in question would say the same thing, learn from our experience. Way too many General Aviation accidents that could be avoided. These two or at least dad had a wealth of experience but somewhere in the planning stage all the bases were not covered.
I’ll accept the punishment if I have read too much into this one. God bless and comfort those left to mourn their passing.
Maybe I am missing something but why would you drive to the dark airport, go in your glove compartment or trunk, retrieve a flashlight and go to the end of the runway turn on the flashlight and wave it back and forth? Do I have that correct?
Why not drive to the end of the runway and flip between the car high beam lights and standard beams? I must be missing something...
Prayers for the family...
Did this electrical problem come out of nowhere or did the seller know about it? Based on what I’ve seen of people selling used cars, I’d bet yes on the latter.
Wow, I can only imagine the feelings of the fiancé, especially when the search had to be called off until morning...
One thing tho’ and I’ll admit to ignorance about this: Over the years I’ve had occasion to go by a small strip about 40 miles from us, at all hours, sometimes a couple times a year and sometimes several times a year. I can remember when it was only a small building and a grass strip mainly for the cropdusters. At any rate, I can remember marker lights at night @ the ends of the runway for, goodness, maybe 30 years - ever since they put in a concrete strip, and at least 15 years ago they put in lights along the length of the runway. Said lights have always been on, every time I go by in non-daylight hours, or in low-visibility weather.
My question is, is this having the runway lights off until a flight nears, to be turned on by radio signal from the plane, something relatively new, to save on electricity (and light bulbs?)
Secondarily, you’d think that in 2018 someone would have the foresight to have “backup” both in the plane and also on the ground — the latter being ability of the pilot to call or text 911 and have LEO briefly trained in the matter turn the dang lights on.
One thing required for the night flight was a flashlight, hard to understand why an experienced pilot did not have one with him?
After getting my license 6 years ago have not made another night flight since.
A daytime electrical failure is not close to being as dangerous as a nighttime failure!