Real Pilot Story: Trapped in the Hills
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 6 июн 2024
- Proudly Sponsored by Sporty’s. Quality supplies and training products for pilots.
bit.ly/SportysPilotShop
Natives of Monterrey, Mexico, pilots Arturo Guerra Perez, Sr. and Art, Jr. rely on their familiarity with the region’s terrain, and despite the intense mountain turbulence and sinking ceiling on one chilly November day, they aim for the gap between a low, overcast sky and the hills ahead.
In this harrowing real pilot story, a routine flight turns fatal as a father and son negotiate the Mamulique Pass back from Burnet, Texas, following a weekend adventure.
Join the AOPA Air Safety Institute as we explore how the allure of a familiar route can lead to a critical lapse in judgement and underscore the dangers of complacency in the cockpit.
ASI’s Real Pilot Stories allow pilots to share their encounters with dilemmas so others can benefit-while comfortable on the ground-from lessons learned the hard way in flight.
Learn more:
Review the VFR into IMC Avoidance & Escape Resources page
bit.ly/VFRIntoIMCAvoidance
Take the Spatial Disorientation quiz
bit.ly/SpatialDisorientationQuiz
Message from ASI Staff:
We share a deep passion for aviation safety. As compassionate pilots, we bring together safety research, analysis, and knowledge in creative ways to share aviation safety education with you-with the ultimate goal of one day having zero fatal accidents in GA. If you find this information valuable, please consider a donation to support our work.
bit.ly/AOPASafetyDonate
Click here to receive credit in your ASI education transcript for watching this video: bit.ly/RPSTrappedInTheHillsCert
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is the largest community of pilots in the world, providing aviation advocacy, education & inspiration. AOPA has represented the freedom to fly for all pilots since 1939. To learn more about becoming a member visit www.aopa.org/jointoday.
Check out the Air Safety Institute Website:
www.aopa.org/training-and-saf...
Follow AOPA on Twitter:
/ flywithaopa
Follow AOPA on Instagram:
/ flywithaopa
Follow AOPA on Facebook:
/ flywithaopa
#aopa #flywithaopa #aviation #pilot #flying
During AirVenture - Oshkosh 2023 I received a call from Richard McSpadden. He invited me to talk about the accident and wanted to know if I was ready and willing to tape it for AOPA Air Safety Institute. Honestly I was far from ready. But after talking with Richard for a few minutes I just knew it was going to be OK. I cannot explain it but Richard made me feel confident and at ease.
Now that the video is out I wish to thank the greatest community out there. The aviation community. I feel that I am not alone carrying the burden of my son’s loss. In a strange way I feel that there are many more supporting me. And most important: I feel that Arturo JR will never be forgotten. That was my biggest fear. Arturo JR made me the proudest father in the world. 😊
I’m sure Arturo and Richard are flying high and proud. Someday I will be able to join their formation.
Arturo thank you so much for sharing your experience with us. Arturo Jr will never be forgotten, and his loss will no doubt help prevent someone else's accident from happening.
As a father, I am in awe in the courage you've kept through all of this. I will remember your son and your story, and I feel privileged to have gotten to learn his story. Best of wishes to you and your family.
Arturo,
Thank you so much for sharing your story. Your love and admiration of your son is so evident in this short film. My heart aches for you and the loss you are experiencing.
I hope the sharing of this story is healing for you. It will undoubtedly help improve GA safety for those that watch and learn from it.
I will remember your son Arturo Jr. and his love for the sky.
Thank you for sharing your story!!!
I can't imagine the courage it takes for a father to make a video like this. I am thankful for your willingness to share such a painful experience with others. I will carry this story with me as I fly, and feel privileged to do so. My sons will benefit from Arturo's story, and he will never be forgotten.
Auturo, your son would be very proud of you for sharing your story with us. Please know that your son Auturo Jr. will not be forgotten and that he and your family are in my prayers.
I lost my son too. It will be two years this coming July, and I last saw him alive in late March 2022. I get it when you talk about those dark places and what comes to mind in middle of the night. Your Arturo sounds like a wonderful person, as my son Nate was. What you've done here is a beautiful tribute and it will save lives.
So sorry for your loss, Nancy. So sorry. 🙏
Sorry for your loss Nancy, I'm sure Nate is looking down watching over you . I know he loved you very much!
So sorry for you both. May your sons rest in peace.
Alas
So sorry 😭😭😭
Great video! As a father who has flown with my children frequently, this story hit me hard. Since they were little, I've taken my two kids up. Now one is on her way to an airline career, with her PPL, IR done and working on hour building. How many times did I do something similar or equally dangerous with my daughter when she was little and got away with it? I don't know, but definitely some. The point that staying in training mode throughout your flying life is one I was lucky enough to have adopted before I caused crash. At least once, I got close. I flew VFR into IMC as a low hour private pilot and survived maybe 8 minutes of clouds. I'm lucky it was a smooth day. I was afraid I would crash if I attempted to turn back. I was just able to keep the DG and AI stable for straight and level flight until I got clear. I'm not proud of this. I'm ashamed of myself. Since then, I've obtained an IR and Commercial, and hope to obtain my CFI. Maybe I can help keep someone else safe.
This made me tear up... if Arturo reads this, my deepest condolences - your son seemed to be an exceptional young man. The two of you shared a bond that not every father and son have, and I don't mean just aviation but how he was your best friend and companion - please cherish that, and thank you for sharing.
I am praying for you Arturo. I lost my dad in the N182K Lear Jet mishap at KGON in 2006. We flew together as I was growing up and he was my flight instructor who handed me off to the Flight Examiner who gave me my check ride. It just happened to be the same Flight Examiner who did his check ride back in the 70's.
I flew charters with my dad, and he trained me to fly non precision approaches by the time I was 15. He did upset training with me and was a very safe pilot. He had over 4,000 hours and was an ATP rated pilot. They flew into weather conditions knowing they were pushing the limits of the PIC and the jet, but he had confidence in the PIC to make it into KGON. He was a new low time copilot after retiring from the FAA with 34 years as an Air Traffic Controller at Norfolk International. The departure procedure there is named after him the KISR 1- through to it's current procedure number.
I feel your loss. We were best friends, and he was my hero, as I'm sure your son looked up to you the same way. I flew the approach into KGON in flight simulator over 100 times after he passed. I found that if he had not been on that flight, the passengers would not have walked away from the water ditching. Three passengers survived, one with a broken leg, as the worst injury. They disobeyed the instructions to buckle in before landing and none of them were buckled. In the last moments of the flight, my dad took control of the throttles, as indicated by the voice recording and the FADEC. That softened the ditching enough to keep the passengers alive, but it cost him his life. He would have wanted it that way, if he could have the choice. I know you feel the same way about your son.
I am proud of you for continuing to learn how to be a better pilot. I became an Air Traffic Controller in the Air Force just before he passed. We had the common love shared through aviation. We had a special relationship through aviation, shared by a father giving his son the love for the challenges of flight. I hope you can find God and His purposes for your life. It took me 9 years to be able to cry over his loss. I loved him deeply and know that God wanted to give those passengers the life to find Him, while my dad, who knew God and shared Him with us, sacrificed his life to give them that opportunity. Whether they have or not, this world is an emptier place without him, as is the case with your son. I pray you find peace through God, to accept your loss and continue to pursue God's purpose for your being here with us, to help us learn and prevent these types of mishaps. You are a courageous man and this world is a better place with you in it. Thank you for sharing this difficult tragedy with us. I can tell you from the opposite position, i loved my dad, as your son loved you. We share a common tragedy as survivors of loved ones gone. We honor them with our lives lived to find God's purposes for our being here. May you find that your prayers are heard by a loving God who cares deeply for you, as a father loves a son, you are His kid, and He loves you more than we loved our shared lost ones. I will remember you in my prayers as we live to honor God and His gift of such friendship with a father and a son.
🙏😔☝️✡️✝️
When the two are placed together N182KKGON, it spells out the plane, and my Dad's Air Traffic initials..."KK"(which stood for "King's Kid" and initials I carried on into my Air Force career.)...GON. With God, there are no coincidences. This realization showed me, just how much God cares for my Dad, that He would spell out His fate, in the moment, He took him home. That's how much He knows us, cares for us and loves us, and desires a close relationship with us. God has heard every one of your prayers and cares for you, and desires a close relationship with you, in which you know, your prayers are heard, and he loves you, Arturo...that much...and more.🥹☝️✡️✝️
Blessings to you I am former USAF pilot an honor to hear your story.
As a father and a pilot, I promise two things:
You are not alone in your grief, and I will not forget Jr.
I love how Arturo smelled the flowers before he placed them down. Like making sure there fragrant enough to honor his son. Beautiful moment in his memory. 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
I get the impression that most people and even pilots do not realize how turbulence greatly increases the onset and persistence of spatial disorientation. Most everyone pilot's IFR (i.e., hood) and upset training is typically done in smooth air. Worse, is training in non-motion sims. Unfortunately , these too set up a form of complacency that GA IFR flying is not as hard as it really is. Instructors need to do more to instill in their students a greater respect for avoiding and flying in turbulent IMC conditions, especially when carrying passengers. There are still too many who willingly fly into IMC thinking they got this. My utmost heartfelt condolences to the Perez family. Thank you so much for sharing.
Well said!
Do we know for a fact that is was spacial disorientation? The video mentions that once, briefly, but no evidence to back it up. The spiral was caused by impact with the radio tower, not control inputs nor turbulence. Radio towers are higher than the highest point on the hill. In the video, we even see the screenshot of the flight path. It seems to me to be a CFIT due to going off course and/or minimum safe altitude violation when attempting IFR, not spatial disorientation when attempting IFR. The video title also eludes to CFIT.
Yes...! All of what you said lol 🤗
@@ewicky A spiral is a result of spacial disorientation. He stated he saw sky, then ground, then sky. This clearly suggests a spiral and not an impact with a tower (though that may have occurred in the way down). Also spacial disorientation lead to CFIT so there is no incongruity here.
You are a proud father and a good one. My prayers go out to you. Thanks for sharing.
Arturo, I am so sorry for your loss. Your son would be proud of what you've been able to achieve and honoring him with this video. You never know how strong you are until you face something like this. I, too, shared aviation with my son, and he was killed in a plane accident 13 years ago. It took me five years to get back into flying. I admire what you are doing to help other aviators learn from your tragedy. It will touch many pilots and make them safer. Your son will never be forgotten. Your love for him is too strong for that to ever happen. Wishing you comfort and peace with the beautiful memories of your son.
It takes a lot of courage to share this story. Your son will not be forgotten. Bless you, Arturo.
Arturo, if you see this, thank you for sharing your story. Arturo Jr. will not be forgotten. I will remember him on my next flight. Blue skies and tailwinds to you!
It takes a strong man and family to share this story. You are honoring your son by making sure that others stay safe. Thank you.
Arturo, my heart goes out to you. I wish you comfort and peace, and I salute your bravery in posting this video.
As a father who flies with his young son, I thank you for sharing this. It is stories like these in our memories that can potentially be the difference between pushing on or making the choice to turn back. Arturo will be remembered by me, every single time I fly with my son. He will not be forgotten.
I’m so grateful to Arturo for sharing this story. This video was clearly made with so much thought and care put into it, and I think it’s a beautiful tribute and a wonderful way to honor your son.
I am so very sorry for your loss. I am grateful for you sharing your story so ALL of us pilots can make better choices when flying. You are now in my prayers. I am grateful for your courage to share this.
Arturo, your son will never be forgotten. You, his mother, friends, classmates, everybody he met-he left an imprint on their heart that changed them in some small way. Telling your story is a sober reminder for the aviation community that even the most talented pilots can succumb to bad conditions and it’s brave and good of you to tell this story.
May your live be one of healing and peace. You will think of your son everyday forever, but eventually I pray that you will stop focusing on the should haves, but focus instead on the beautiful what weres.
Peace and love to you.
Arturo, you are brave and generous to share your story with the pilot community. I thank you, and am sending love to your son, to you, and to your family as you continue to find your way forward.
Thank-you for your message. I will fly in your son's honor on my next flight.
So sorry, brought tears to my eyes. I do believe you will see your son someday again. Nice to see another father close to his son!!
To continue flying after such an irreplaceable loss demonstrates incredible bravery and strength. Be well and try to heal as you honor the memory of your son. Peace brother.
Never forgotten, great Dad and brave as no other. Your story will keep many safe.
Thank you for this very moving, beautifully articulated and courageous review of the accident and its personal aftermath. As the father of a son who we also lost at about the same age, I can only suggest that you keep Arturo Jr. alive in your memories of wonderful times spent together.
I believe that you are making Arturo Jr. very happy by your continued involvement in aviation.
All the best and fly safe.
Thank you for posting this: I will never forget Arturo now. This is exactly what he would want: to see you carry on with what you used to do together and to warn others so that they don't have to go through this. Peace be with you brother.
Vivo en Canada y desde aqui pienso en ustedes y espero el que el universo infinito encuentre la manera de que tengas paz en tu corazon, tu hijo sera recordado, y pensare en cada vez que me encuentre en el cielo, y si me encuentro en alguna situacion dificil que su memoria sea mi guia....
I’ll show this video to my wife tonight so we can both think of your bravery in your son’s memory. This could have happened to any one of us.
An important video. Thanks for making this.
Arturo thank you for sharing your story, this will save someone’s life. Many pilots made the same mistake and got lucky, so don’t be hard on yourself. Your son will not be forgotten.
Excellently presented...with professionalism and respectful story telling...you rarely find this on RUclips...Thank you
A very moving story. I hope we all learn from this. Very brave of you Arturo. Jr will not be forgotten
This one really brings it home. Very powerful story. RIP Arturo Jr
Very sorry for your loss. You are doing your best to honor Arturo: warning us others about dangers of flying.
Arturo,
thank you so much for telling your story.
You are correct, by telling your story and sharing your pain and thoughts, you honor your son's legacy and connect him with all of us aviators.
This is touching me deeply and even as a stranger, I will carry him in my heart for the rest of my life, as we are all connected, and especially as pilots in our small community. Thank you so much for having shown the strength to share and to make us all part of your story.
Please know that we all know the immeasurable pain of your loss and your wife's loss.
Please be assured that you gave your son one of the best experiences and lives anybody could wish for with your love and passion you instilled in him and lived with him. Not many people on this planet get to say and experience something like this.
I wish you and your wife peace and love in your heart. And that you get to live his pilot life through your energy and love you have for it.
Oliver
You had a beautiful son and a wonderful life together. Thank you for sharing and as the father of a young son I am deeply moved by your loss.
You touch my heart... People leave this life in any situation, even the simplest one, falling badly from a chair... Many of them pass through alone somewhere, and afterward, we try to wonder how that happened, trying to imagine their last moments... There's no healing, but something can make this lighter: the thought of doing something together, of living for something you love, even in the bad times.... It doesn't matter how long life can be, but if you lived it to the fullest, if you were happy, if you were loved... If there's a place somewhere after life, Arturo is happy for the life you gave him, for your father's love. I feel your story close to my heart, I am close to you, my condolences and a big hug.
Arturo, absolutely heart wrenching to know the loss you must feel…I too fly with my son as he trains to become a pilot…thanks for sharing and know this aviation community cares and I for one will fly my next flight in honor of Arturo Jr.!😢
My sincere condolences to Arturo and his family. Thanks to all those who make these invaluable videos possible, where the aeronautical community can learn from situations that occur to aviation colleagues who bravely dare to share them. To others can be more aware and prevent them. Eternal gratitude
Sincere condolences for the loss of Arturo Jr. He was an outstanding young man. Thank you for sharing such a heartbreaking story so that others can learn. It was actually hard to watch knowing the tragic ending. I have loss a number of close friends in military aviation accidents, but couldn’t imagine the pain of losing a son that way. Best wishes for your future and continue to make Arturo proud. 😊❤
This is a great video, and well edited. I feel for the dad. You can feel his pain. I have lost someone close as well.. I can relate. Unfortunately it’s a pain that will more than likely always be there. I hate that for him. But at least he can continue do to what his son would want him to do. He’s got that going for him.
I cannot imagine the suffering that comes with the loss of a child.
I pray that with time, realizing not only the closeness of your relationship, but the awesome quality of the time you had and the life you so enjoyed together will help to ease your pain and eventually replace it with only the wonderful memories the two of you shared.
May your heart find peace and solace knowing you are such an incredibly wonderful father that provided the love, happiness and life inspiration to the son who cherished you.
Thanks so much for sharing Arturo. I learned to fly in Monterrey at that same airport, I flew that same route multiple times and I can totally see why one would push on being so close, it’s such a familiar route for those operating in MMAN, there are some hills around but the rest of the terrain is mostly flat to the east-north AND you can see the highway that takes you home, that always makes you feel safe. I’m so sorry for your loss, muchos abrazos!
Arturo, thank You so much for sharing this story. It is a good reminder for us all how fragile life is and that we must always weigh the risk versus accomplishment as we go about life. I must admit my heart ached as i was listening to your story. My daughter died almost two years ago from cancer .
My condolences Arturo on the loss of your son. You brought tears to my eyes and a new respect for flying. Your son will always be with you. Fly High my friend.
This was an amazing video. As someone who flies in an area near the coast where wx changes frequently and the marine layer can creep in and turn a cloudless day into IMC right down to the ground, I'm going to remember Arturo Sr. and Arturo Jr. every time conditions look just a little "off" and choose to stay on the ground or, if I'm aloft, even just put the aircraft down in a field rather than try to push on home into IMC because "I'm just a few miles from the airport!" Aircraft can always be fixed or handed to the insurance company!
So sorry for your loss, Arturo. This is a heartwrenching tale, and thank you so much for sharing it with us all. I'm sure it will save a life.
Very sorry for your loss, Arturo. Thank you for sharing this story.
I too, lost a son. Nothing worse . This helped me: “With the passage of time, the awful vividness of what we had experienced, will gradually, very gradually become less and less traumatic”.
Painful to watch, but very important ; thank you
I cannot comprehend your loss. Thank you so much for sharing your story.
So very sorry for your loss Arturo. Thank you for sharing your story and Art’s legacy will forever be remembered ❤
Thank you for sharing Arturo, what a terrible loss for you and your loved ones. We remember Arturo Jr with you.
Life changes in an instant. In aviation, it happens to even the most experienced and cautious pilots. God bless you and your son.
So courageous Arturo Sr. I am profoundly grateful for you sharing your story of your beloved son Arturo Jr. I have fallen victim to complacency with less tragic results and your lesson again solidifies this dangerous mindset we are all susceptible to. It takes a very wise and strong person to share tragedy, loss, suffering and human error. I admire you greatly and am so, so proud of what you’ve done in Arturo Jr’s memory. I sincerely hope that this tribute has lightened your spirit and helped shield you from those demons. You deserve that as a stoic gentleman and a loving father. Thank you for your service.
Arturo, thank you for having courage to share this with us. It may save lives and is a great way to honor your wonderful son. God bless you both.
So grateful for this man to be so vulnerable in sharing this story. Thank you for working to keep your fellow aviator’s safe in learning through this tragedy. Much love to Arturo’s family. ❤
Auturo will not be forgotten. Thank you for the courage it took to make this film in is honor. My sincere sympathy to you dad. He was living his dream. That's every parents biggest hope for their child. Every time I take my boys flying I consider this possibility could happen and it always makes my stomach hurt.
Thank you for sharing. Fly high Arturo Jr.
Im sorry for your loss, Arturo.
May peace and happiness be with you! Greetings from Switzerland to beautifull Mexiko ❤
Very sorry for your loss. Lots of love and strenghts; and thanks for sharing your story.
What a heartbreaking story, thank you for sharing. My heart goes out to you Arturo - you are clearly a wonderful father.
My prayers for comfort to Arturo and loved ones. I’m so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing this, as difficult as I’m certain it was.
Thank you Arturo for sharing this. Great video as always AOPA.
Aww.. thank you for sharing your story. You seem like such an amazing, intelligent, loving father & i know he is proud of you 💝.
Thank you. Your story is inspiring me to carry on and Arturo will never be forgotten
Thank you for sharing, Arturo
Arturo Jr. will not be forgotten. I will put him and Arturo Sr. in my prayers.
Thanks for sharing your story. That must have been an incredibly difficult process for you.
With the benefit of hindsight, we can all make better decisions. As humans we are prone to make poor choices.
I hope you find peace in your life and can reflect fondly on the memories of your son.
Arturo, I am so sorry for your loss. Thank You for sharing this story. Arturo Jr. will never be forgotten. Amor y Abrazos. --Roberto
So sad. Thanks for posting this.
it is such sad story and i appreciate he came forth and share this story. Such hard thing for a father to go through.
RIP to your son, Arturo Jr. May his memory never be forgotten. You carry on his memory every time you get in the plane. He would want you to keep flying, good job Dad.
Thank you for sharing this experience with us.
So powerful. Thank you!
Thank you, Arturo. God bless you, and your son will not be forgotten.
Thank you for telling this story, sir. Your son will not be forgotten.
Well, I didn't watch this expecting to cry. Thank you for sharing your story. ❤
God bless you Arturo, we would all be lucky to have a dad like you
Thank you sir. RIP Arturo Jr.
Sir, thank you so very much for sharing your story. Your son will not be forgotten.
Thank you for sharing. This touches my heart. God bless!
Thank you for sharing this difficult life story. God bless you and your family. May Arturo rest in peace.
My condolences, as a father and a student pilot I will remember his story. He will not be forgotten. Stay strong. My prayers are with you and your family.
Thanks for sharing your story.
Arturo Jr will not be forgotten. At least not by me. Thank you for sharing.
what a lovely gentleman and a fantastic father.
Hard to watch this video, thank you for sharing your story. Arturo will never be forgotten.
Im so sorry for your loss! Seeing the man you are, l can see your son would have been like you, and that is our loss. Heal the best you can.
Lost but not forgot Bless you both.
That poor man, Arturo shows so much strength to deal with this and tell us what happened.
Thank you sir for sharing your story
Thanks for sharing this. Aviation is an amazing, beautiful thing...but it is unforgiving. May your son rest in peace.
What a story. Thanks for sharing and reminding me how precious life is ❤
Your story may save another pilot, Arturo. Bless you for sharing something so difficult.
I’m sorry for your loss, Arturo. Your son will not be forgotten. Stay strong.
Thank you for sharing.
Sorry for your loss of Arturo! Thank you for opening up and sharing your story and he will definitely be remembered!
Gracias por compartir y estoy seguro que tu hijo estaría orgulloso pienso que muchos pilotos saben que hay un gran riesgo en el privilegio de transportarse por el cielo.
El eligió estar ahi haciendo lo que mas le gustaba y pocos tienen la suerte de hacer lo que mas les gusta compartiéndolo con quien mas quieren cuando el fin llega.
Esto y la regla de los 3 strikes de Mr Patey, se me han grabado para siempre.
Que mas daría que tener los medios para participar en esta actividad.
Gracias por compartir.
I've been flying with my father my entire life. It's a unique experience, and I will always cherish these memories with him.
I can easily see how Arturo, being proud of his son, wants him to act as PIC. Arturo JR, knowing his father is behind him, thinks he will speak up before they get in a bad situation.
I am very sorry for Arturo SR's loss.