While at Oshkosh I stopped at the FAA building. They always have a lot of neat information, folks one can talk to and great speakers at their forums. I saw listed a forum titled “Top 10 Reasons for Engine Stoppage”. Since I was going to restart my flight training lessons, I wanted to see if this information would help me to be a safer pilot. None of this information is new, a lot of common sense, but I shook my head at the number of pilots that forgot their common sense when they headed for the airport. The speaker shared story after story of the following:

10th- The cam breaks or engine explodes, usually the lower end. This is the only reason out of our control. (Right Brad and David!) Nothing we can do but make sure we know the emergency landing procedures for our airplane. How many of you actually practice emergency procedures! Hmmm.

9th- Fluid Loss. Not taking care of leaks.

8th-Intake. Old air filters full of grass, bugs, dirt. Animals love warm engines in cold hangars. A good preflight and intake covers could take care of this.

7th- Ignition. Using spark plugs past their prime. Keep cleaning and gaping the old ones because you’re too cheap to buy new ones? (John Kuhfahl wrote about this a while back! Thanks, John!) How many folks still have the original mags on that old plane…you’d be surprised.

6th- Miscellaneous Maintenance. “Stupid Stuff”. Tools/rags left under the cowling, poor workmanship, skimping on parts, or ignoring problems. Always check the plane over after someone else has worked on it.

5th- Cylinder/valve failure-upper. Not letting the engine warm up,over reving, poor leaning, shock cooling. Basically, not knowing your airplane or the POH.

4th- Fuel System. Selector, primer seals leaked gas. If you smell gas leaking…get it fixed. Three or four sooty cylinders (depending on your primer system at the cylinders) is the indication your primer is leaking even though it is “in and locked”.

3rd- Carburetor Icing. Be aware of when it can happen. Usually when temperatures are between 30 and 70F and humidity is 80%. But with sudden cooling, it can happen with temperatures as high as 100F and humidity as low as 50%. Continentals are known as the “ice makers”. Also, if applying carb. heat due to suspected icing, remember that the engine will run rough until the ice clears. Ride through the roughness, don’t be impatient. It may take some time!

2nd- Fuel Contamination. Fuel caps left off that allowed bugs, birds and other debris to get in the tank. Condensation…have you checked your fuel for water before flying? Wrong fuel…check on that line boy or girl!

Number One Reason…Fuel Starvation/exhaustion. Plain stupidity. Fuel selectors not utilized, not watching or planning for fuel consumption. (As if YOU didn’t know this!)

Folks this list was compiled from the FAA’s data bank of accidents. It was presented in the “David Letterman” format of ten things and was one of the best and most informative lectures I have ever attended. Often, I shook my head in disbelief over some the examples that were given for each item. It’s amazing how unprepared and sometimes even stupid supposedly “intelligent” pilots get. Please look the list over and ask yourself (in one of those “”introspective” moments) have I EVER been lazy/complacent/stupid for anything listed above? David admits to forgetting some things on occasion. If that ego can admit it I wonder who else could be on the list?

So please THINK before you fly. Also THINK while you fly. And finally, THINK after you fly. Did you do EVERYTHING to perfection? I know I now have a plan to constantly evaluate myself and my plan. Please consider doing one for your own safety along with those you share the thrill and excitement of flight. Until next time, Godspeed and remember to kept the oily side down!
Miriam Talley