Today on the Golf Hotel Whiskey blog, I saw one of the most chilling flying videos I’ve ever viewed. It’s a graphic example of why inadvertent VFR into IMC is the most dangerous accident type. Statistically, if a pilot inadvertently flies into a cloud and subsequently has an accident, 90% of the time one or more people aboard that flight will die. By contrast, only about 15% of daytime accidents are fatal and 30% of nighttime accidents are fatal. Therefore, when teaching Private pilots I literally tell them “Do not enter a cloud under any circumstances under penalty of death.” Obviously that doesn’t apply later when they become instrument rated and are on an IFR flight plan.
In this video, the pilot shows a callous disregard for the dangers of flying in the clouds...
without an IFR clearance. He can be seen calmly flying in IMC until suddenly bushes appear at the aircraft’s level ahead and to the right. Just how close the pilot came to killing all aboard is later demonstrated by a close-up view of the damage to the right wing.
It’s one thing for a pilot to break the rules and endanger himself. It is unconscionable that this pilot’s careless disregard nearly killed a plane full of passengers along for the ride. They undoubtedly put their trust in the pilot, never suspecting that he would take them to within a couple of feet of their death.
Yesterday, the FAA announced the emergency revocation of the licenses for the crew that flew Northwest Airlines Flight 188 past their destination while out of radio contact for 78 minutes. Candidly, this pilot’s behavior was far more egregious. If he’s identified, the FAA should revoke his certificates.
I noticed in the comments that the original poster says the matter is with the FAA. I couldn't make out the last letter of the callsign and I don't really know any other way to check.
But I agree, the view happily continuing to fly through the cloud in a valley - what?!
Posted by: Sylvia | October 30, 2009 at 05:31 AM