Pull early, pull often! - All Comments

re: Early Reflections on CAPS Pull #32 by Dick McGlaughlin in the Bahamas

Richard McGlaughlin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:07:05 GMT

Georgia:

We landed flat, and though it felt like quite a jolt, there was no damage to the bottom of the plane when we saw it later.

Alot of water came in through the vents- a lap full, and I mistook that for cabin flooding. Our feet were probably dry. Elaine had trouble with her seatbelt, and also with her door, but I know her seatbelt was fine, and I think her door was, too. I opened her belt, and pulled her out my door, which had opened normally. we got out on the wing, and I reached back in for the raft, and got it out and inflated it.

We waited for the plane to sink. over the next couple minutes, it settled left wing down, but it never sank. It became apparent the water was pretty shallow.

If the settling would have been followed by sinking in deeper water, it would have taken 2-4 minutes, I think.

Interesting- I had my passport, cash and wallet in a moneybelt type sling over my right shoulder, and under my left arm. I managed to remove that when I ripped off the headsets and seatbelts. About the time I began to worry about that, it bubbled up out of the cockpit, and we swam over and got it.

re: Early Reflections on CAPS Pull #32 by Dick McGlaughlin in the Bahamas

Rick Beach — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:22:54 GMT

While Elaine's door, the passenger door would not open, Dick's door, the pilot door, easily opened and they both got out that way. In another description, it seems that Dick pulled Elaine out of her seat and through the door as they both feared the inrush of water would lead to rapid sinking -- that did not happen. So, no need for breaking a window.

re: Early Reflections on CAPS Pull #32 by Dick McGlaughlin in the Bahamas

Georgia Griffiths — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:55:35 GMT

Does anyone know how he exited the plane? Did he break a window or get the door open?

re: Manfred's Lesson by Lee Herring

Richard McGlaughlin — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 19:52:00 GMT

I lived by this.

Thank you, Lee.

Elaine thanks you, too.

re: Early Reflections on CAPS Pull #32 by Dick McGlaughlin in the Bahamas

Darin Dunham — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:13:18 GMT

Elaine mentioned in her account that the plane was just coming out of its annual inspection. It will be interesting to see what the investigators find out about the engine and oil lines.

re: Early Reflections on CAPS Pull #32 by Dick McGlaughlin in the Bahamas

Emmett Shaffer — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 03:22:55 GMT

Well done Doc- text book...

1) well trained/ proficient aviator

2) calm during the emergency

3) Executed the CAPS option

4) Aircraft was equipped with proper survival equipment

5) You stayed with the aircraft- but far enough away to avoid entanglement

This should be featured in all aviation publications. Richard- you can operate on me anytime-- great to see both of you avoided injury

re: Early Reflections on CAPS Pull #32 by Dick McGlaughlin in the Bahamas

Ben Knisely — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:03:03 GMT

Makes everything about CAPS - "real" ... great account and cant wait to see this in a formal presentation someday at CPPP ... way to go Dick!

re: Early Reflections on CAPS Pull #32 by Dick McGlaughlin in the Bahamas

Chuck Wyatt — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 02:24:22 GMT

awesome account....great lessons to learn.....have myself flown over that stretch of water

re: Early Reflections on CAPS Pull #32 by Dick McGlaughlin in the Bahamas

Eric Kellner — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:05:02 GMT

It looks like the plane floated long enough for the rescue. I thought it would have sunk in a few minutes. Bravo Dick!

re: Early Reflections on CAPS Pull #32 by Dick McGlaughlin in the Bahamas

Jeff Ludwig — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:41:01 GMT

The Doctor did it just right. Glided as far as possible towards land, deployed the chute at 2,000 to prepare and was prepared for the water landing with vest and a raft.

I think everyone would like to know the cause of the engine oil pressure loss which resulted in this CAPS event. Hopefully the plane will be recovered and examined.

The bottom line is-way to go Doctor!

re: Observing a dramatic reduction in Cirrus fatal accidents

Emmett Shaffer — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 17:47:53 GMT

This is truly a good news story. Rick, no doubt your work in the safety/education arena is helping. Appreciate your hard work and reporting.

Vr Emmett

re: Ban low-speed flying "phobia" -- insights from John King for Cirrus pilots

John Esposito — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 01:34:34 GMT

Great advise and great reading. John King is really the master of aviation.

re: A Photo Story of Landing a Cirrus

Anutin Charnvirakul — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 16:29:00 GMT

Thanks for the articles. I have always understood the touch done speed was 75, not 60 as recommended in PoH. This would definitely help me to improve my landing skill.

re: Observing a dramatic reduction in Cirrus fatal accidents

William Cattley — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 02:37:24 GMT

Rick,

This is very encouraging numbers and reflects the emphasis on making safer pilots. Having a plane that has so much built in safety features won't make a difference unless pilots are trained to use the equipment properly.

Thanks for the information and analysis.

Bill Cattley

re: Observing a dramatic reduction in Cirrus fatal accidents

James Williamson — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 03:26:53 GMT

I have never performed a stall in a turn. Time to get with it I guess. Always seemed unrealistic that the PTS required power on/off stalls to be done straight ahead.