Wom
And that my friends is a true story. It was the day I missed out on my dinner.
I can honestly say, that in all of the annals of human suffering, nobody suffered more than what I did on that day. Now Bill, you have to tell us that story of yours."
Bills Airplane runs out of gas
Well I can't tell a story that Bills Airplane runs out of gas because I never flew during a time where fuel was an issue.
Bill says "I did have a situation that was almost as bad. During preparation for takeoff a walk around is required to verify that certain maintenance task are preformed so the plane is ready for flight. One of these task is check the oil sump to verify that the oil sump service entrance is closed and ready for flight. Under a small flap is one of the oil sumps for the plane. This flap is closed and considered clear if the two kerklock are closed. Under this flap is a cap much like a gas cap under the flaps of todays cars. The difference is a red flag attached to the plane that stands up erect until the cap is replaced and turned to a closed position. Once the cap is correctly turned and locked then the little red flag is down allowing that outside flap to be locked closed with the zerk keys . In normal operating mode the flap can not be closed until the
internal cap is closed an the red flag is down. Once the red flag is down,then
the outside door flap can be closed and locked. During my walk around the
sump door was closed and locked.
Carrier takeoff and landings are difficult under normal conditions. Today we had a very normal takeoff and it appeared at first that the flight would go well.
Within minutes of launch without warning our starboard engine lost oil pressure and shut down. Flying a twin engine plane is usually a boring uneventful routine, but flying a twin engine plane with just one engine is far from boring. Now the problem gets compounded because , now this single engine twin has to be landed back on the carrier. Landings calls for a plane to approach level, but with one engine not turning level flight is not possible no matter how much the plane is trimmed. Carrier landing for prop planes is different from jet in that you cut engines at an exact time and glide onto the deck catching one of the arresting cables that bring you to a stop. In our case we will be touching down with one wheel far before the other hits. What happens if the plane catches a cable before both Engine nacelle wheels are on the ground. All of these thoughts were running through my head.
Moment of truth arrived and passed we were back on deck without all the imagined bad end. It was determined that a new man on the oil crew, had bent the flag down over the cap because he was unable to get the cap on right. Rather than ask he just bent the flag so he could close the outer door on and kerk lock them.
The minute the plane took off venturi effect from air flow over the wing sucked the oil sump dry in just 15 minutes. Lucky for the engine it had an auto shutdown if there is no oil pressure." I am thankful he didn't do the bend flag trick on both engines.
Wom your most Embarrassed moment
“You live and you learn, but if you never learn, at least you are still living.”
— Unknown
Originally Posted by cassiesmom
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