Fear and loathing in red lake.

Skyscare · Post by **Skyscare** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 9:36 pm

Unconfirmed reports of a certain Beach 18 operator stuck up north with an engine failure.

//topic edited to remove any doubt//

carholme · Post by **carholme** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 3:56 am

We had a 985 seize solid on our Beech while in cruise, 30 miles north of Red Lake and Snoopy did an excellent job of getting the aircraft safely on the water next to a dock. The engine was only 250 hours TSO and we have our replacement engine on site. We hope to be in today to start the engine change depending on wx. Snoopy was the only one on board and is home safe and sound. Sincere regards to Canadian Fly-In Fishing for stopping by to pick her up and Green Airways who picked up our customers. Red Lake Seaplane Service was excellent in getting us our replacement engine by the end of the day.

Regards

carholme

northwings · Post by **northwings** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 5:02 am

A985 seized solid huh?? Well i've never seen that yet. Very interested to find out what made that happen if you could post a reply or pm me when you find out, I know a teardown report could be a while away but im still intrigued. Seen many a 1340's pack 'er in in flight though, most of which due to timimg problems, i.e. cam ring lobes went flat or pushrods that snapped halfway up in the tubes, but no 985 troubles yet.

bronson · Post by **bronson** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 6:22 am

I can think of at least one case of an inflight siezure and several where the engine quit right after the landing and never turned again. Bearings in each case and I think always the front one. The inflight was also at about 250 hrs. but I think all the others were well along in their lives. Was just looking at your Beech pics Snoopy, gotta wonder if some old karate expert showed up to finish your training. Beautiful job. 2-4 hrs per sq.ft.? Son of a gun!

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 6:40 am

Good job Snoopy. I've had a couple of them myself...glad you're safe and warm. Cheers.

snoopy · Post by **snoopy** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 7:24 am

Scyscare, I sincerely hope I am wrong in this, but the title of your post strikes me as some kind of back-handed insult - particularly given the newness of your user name.

It doesn't matter what kind of operator you are, or that you work for - certain events/failures are possible for anyone. These may be caused by actions of others outside your circle, or could simply be freak failure of a component.

As an operator, and as a conscientious pilot, mechanic or any other person operating in aviation, the best you can do to minimize risk is to operate safely and responsibly so you don't contribute to other factors that may limit the successful outcome of these possible events beyond your control. Operating in this way should also greatly reduce the possibility of negative events that ARE in your control.

Yesterday I had a catastrophic in-flight failure of the left (critical) engine of our aircraft which was further compounded by the fact that the prop was unable to feather - likely due to the nature of the failure.

This was a real drag (pardon the pun) and it was not a nice feeling looking out the window, knowing that options were limited. Fortunately I had an option available, and was able to limp over to a suitable lake and bring the aircraft in safely. Even more lucky was a dock, and a bunch of American tourists who offered up coffee and some breakfast.

We carry an Iridium Sat phone which saved the day - I was able to alert my partner right away and he sprung into action to take care of our customers I was on the way to pick up, and source out the parts and equipment he will need to fix the aircraft. Thankfully our engine is covered under warranty - no kidding! - engines aren't supposed to DO that! As carholme says, many thanks to those that helped us yesterday.

As a pilot, mechanic or other employee in aviation this type of event may strike you in a way that many can understand, appreciate and sympathize. What many of you may not fully comprehend (in some cases - yet) is that when this type of event happens to a small operator, already fighting to stay afloat (again, pardon the pun), this type of event can have serious consequences to your very survival as a business - kind of like a double whammy - and again, not a nice feeling.

Until later - keeping up the good fight...
Regards,
Snoopy

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 8:02 am

Snoop is right. It can happen to anybody. In a float 18, she was just lucky to be "feet wet" when it happened. The landing sites available to that airplane with an un-feathered prop are very limited....it's basically a very noisy glider! And, she did good! The title of the thread is a little demeaning. Or, perhaps.....true? I'm just very happy to read about it here, rather than in an NSB report.

sky's the limit · Post by **sky's the limit** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 8:26 am

Well done Snoopy,

Been quite a week for Female pilots to show how it's done. A young lady had an engine failure in an EC 130 helicopter over the Hudson River(NYC), did a great job getting onto the water with pop out floats deployed, all 7 on board swam away happy. Seems you have done the same.

Again, nice work and good luck with the new engine.

stl

snoopy · Post by **snoopy** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 8:31 am

stl,
Who really cares what gender, race, religion or sexual orientation the pilot, mechanic or other is? Until those that do care learn to expand their thinking, they will continue to perpetuate the small-town, redneck, sexist and racist conditions that persist in many places world-wide today.
Join the global village...
Snoopy

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 8:34 am

They're not "female pilots"! They're pilots, who just happen to be female! There's more than one or two who can fly my butt off.....and, more than one or two who can't.

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 8:36 am

Hey Snoopy....want to wrestle? Hah! You'd kill me!

sky's the limit · Post by **sky's the limit** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 8:41 am

Whoa there Snoop. Ease off on the damn coffee.

I'll have you know that I have TWO members of my family who are FEMALE pilots, I was just trying to send you a compliment. You have NO IDEA what I stand for, so I'd appreciate you keeping that crap to yourself.

You get your back up at the drop of a pin around here, yet you insinuate I'm some sort of sexist, redneck, racist??? WTF is with that?? In case YOU haven't noticed, things are NOT equal yet in aviation for women, and I firmly believe that there are many people who need that pointed out, as the negative press is still so prevalent. If you think pointing out POSITIVES is a bad thing, well, you're entitled to your opinion.

stl

Edited for content

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 8:45 am

I think you both got a little too serious about that one?

Bob A. Booey · Post by **Bob A. Booey** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 9:03 am

Way to go snoop a loop! I hope when my day comes to limp one down to safety, that I have the same wits about me that you did.

Any lessons learned from the flight? Post em' up!

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 9:04 am

Good job Snoop....engines do quit regardless of time on them, getting the airplane safely on the surface is all that matters.

STL is the last guy here to be a sexist Snoop, he was trying to support female pilots who " do " take far to much ignorant crap from Neandrathal male pilots.

sky's the limit · Post by **sky's the limit** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 9:09 am

Doc,

All I did was state "job well done," and that's what I get in return? No good, not acceptable.

I will not accept or tolerate being called those things. I expect an apology, or Snoopy can count one less supporter based on attitude, nothing else. I have seen my family fight like hell to overcome sexism in this industry, I have quit jobs over inequity of employee treatment based on gender, citizenship and race, I won't allow someone to suggest otherwise. If I wasn't so angry, I'd be embarrassed for her.

I don't have the time or inclination to deal with that sort of bullshit, so I won't. That's all I have to say on the subject.

regards,

stl

Bob A. Booey · Post by **Bob A. Booey** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 9:18 am

What if he had said "been a good week for black pilots to show us how it's done"

snoopy · Post by **snoopy** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 9:28 am

stl,
Whether or not you choose to "support me" is your choice. I simply pointed out that I, and any other person, are simply that - a person - a human being, joined collectively by nature of our species, not divided by characteristics. You're right, I don't know what you stand for, or even who you are. You on the other hand, do know who I am, who my partner is and what we stand for, but you have no idea what we've gone through to fight for it.

Thank you for your comments, and I bear you no ill will in the statement of my opinions.

Regards,
Snoopy

snoopy · Post by **snoopy** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 9:31 am

Bob,
I look forward to once again being "black" very soon...

Cheers,
Snoopy

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 9:50 am

Safest Red Lake operation stuck up north

Skyscare, I personally am offended by that insulting comment.

Snoopy and her partner have stepped foward and went to Ottawa to try and improve aviation at the 703 level, something that has been needed for ever since I can remember.

Northern Ontario has for decades been infested with crooked operators and few have the courage to try and bring about change.

What have you done to help change the industry?

Or do you think it is just fine as it is?

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 9:58 am

I try to be lady-like. But I'm no lady!
How'd this thread even get into the guy/girl thing?
Snoopy...sometimes you can be such a girl! But you wont get "black" this summer! You might drown though! Sure did enjoy May!

Sulako · Post by **Sulako** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 10:08 am

Good job on a safe landing Snoopy!

xsbank · Post by **xsbank** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 10:24 am

Nicely done, Snoop! I had a Wright 1820 seize-up solid in flight but it DID feather (also number 1); there is a significant pucker-factor in that type of event that has to be good for at least 200'!

The master rod bearing gave up on mine and basically the engine packed solid with samples of all the metals that live in there. It was junk. I suspect yours is too - too bad you can't just leave it there. Or you could make a coffee table out of it, but it means polishing more metal!

I'm glad you are safe and only have to face the nuisance of changing it out - don't drop it on your foot!

sky's the limit · Post by **sky's the limit** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 10:35 am

snoopy wrote: You on the other hand, do know who I am, who my partner is and what we stand for, but you have no idea what we've gone through to fight for it.

Regards,
Snoopy

That's correct, I do know who you are, and contrary to what you may believe, I think I have a pretty good idea of these type of struggles, even if I'm not familiar with yours specifically. I have watched, and been very involved in similar struggles undertaken by my family members, that is why I found it so frustrating that you would imply what you did. You are correct however in saying that we are all in this together, regardless of sex, race, experience, background, or any other defining factor.

I'm just happy you made it down in once piece, lost one acquaintance who wasn't so fortunate already this summer, that's enough.

Fly safe,

stl

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 10:43 am