On January 19, 1999, at 1850 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150, operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage on impact with a snowbank when landing on runway 28 (4,000′ X 75′ dry/asphalt) near Hillsdale, Michigan. The pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Wauseon, Ohio, about 1830.
The pilot said in a written statement that upon landing “the airplane made immediate left into snow on side of the runway.” He said that he had left the wheel pants on the main landing gear and that ice and slush had accumulated in them and he thought that the left main landing gear wheel/tire had become frozen. He told investigators during a verbal interview that he could have avoided the accident if he had removed the wheel pants prior to flying in winter weather and freezing temperatures.
This weeks lessons learned is an easy one. But I chose this article to give my winter flyers something to think about.
The pilot knew that wheel pants and cold weather are a recipe for trouble.
However as a Florida based pilot when I think of icing I think of structural icing, carb icing, but wheel icing? There’s more than meets the eye when it come to winter flying.
Some winter flying tips:
Engine Oil – Verify in your aircraft manual that you are using the correct weight of oil for operating in colder temperatures.
Breather Lines – There have been a number of reported engine failures due to frozen crankcase breather lines. Water is a natural byproduct produced by the heating and cooling of engines. As the water tries to escape from these breather lines it is frozen and could result in a ruptured case seal. Take extra care to visually check your breather lines prior to flight, if a problem persists additional heating modifications maybe necessary.
Cabin Heat – As the temperatures drop cabin heat is used more and more. In most light aircraft this warmth is generated straight from the muffler shroud. Leaks in the muffler shroud can lead to carbon monoxide in the cockpit. Carbon monoxide detectors are a must in any winter flying situation.
Wheel pants – Finally we come to where the above pilot made his mistake. While taking off, slush, mud, or water can be thrown into the wheel wells and be frozen up at altitude. Locking up brakes, tires, and sometimes your landing gear system in a retractable gear aircraft.
What precautions do you take before you enter the winter skies?
