This was a heartbreaking tragedy because despite some of Harvey's mistakes he still had an opportunity to land and he probably would have learned a lot from this harrowing experience. Unfortunately, this is perhaps a good reminder to never let your guard down and the flight isn't over until you shut down and walk away from the aircraft. Be sure to check out this other heartbreaking story of a pilot that had an engine malfunction and tried desperately to make it back to the runway. 👉 ruclips.net/video/XTjcT4rhnS8/видео.html
Wise words... It's like my father taught me when teaching me good habits for riding motorcycles on the street. The risks begin from the moment you leave the driveway and they're not over until the moment you switch off the bike. NEVER ride without your gear on and remember that a fatal accident is just as likely to occur when you're just "popping to the shops for milk" as it is on a winding back road. Often that's when they do, on those short rides. People let their guard down and miss a car who didn't see them, they don't bother with their gear or simply get too relaxed when they're in the familiar streets of their neighbourhood and make a life changing mistake. I've never had a crash in 18 years on the road, but had moments where I've been saved by the good habits and experience Dad taught me. Even still, I think of every ride as an opportunity to practice and learn. As well as a calculated risk. I'll be bringing that same attitude to getting my pilot's licence. I'm beginning my journey in the spring, which is September in the upside down unda country here. I'm cautiously excited. It's channels like this that make me think I can do it, because of how good the aviation scene is at taking teachable moments from the tragic mistakes of others. It's not a disrespectful thing, in a way it honours the life of those who paid the price, so you don't. Love all you do here mate!
Perhaps I have missed something but shouldn't the tower have warned Harvey when he was at 1400 feet instead of 2400 and then continued to be low? I'm not a pilot but study these videos as if I were.
@@richardobrien6188: I think that the controller didn't want to put yet another burden onto this hopelessly over-tasked pilot being sooo far behind his airplane already... Plus: The ceiling might not have allowed the pilot to remain in VMC at 2'400 feet - and the last thing the controller wanted was to send the pilot back into IMC. When the pilot stated, that he had the runway in sight the controller's job was per se finished as he cleared the pilot for a visual approach. Hoover's analysis regarding this approach being one into a black hole is spot on though. It takes a whole lot of experience (and the recency of it) to judge ones correct glide path into such a 'hole' without the aid of an ILS or GPS. I also see an over-dependence on the automatics of this unfortunate pilot. Always expect the unexpected. Avionics can and will fail and quite often at the most inappropriate moment... ATP ret.
I am a retired B747 Captain with over 30,000 hrs International experience. I have been so impressed with your debriefs and am now sharing them with my son who is a CFII Flight Instructor. I believe that you are doing a great service to practicing pilots and may one day save a life. As I'm sure you are aware, we review and debrief accidents every year in training in hopes that we can learn from these heartbreaking mistakes. Every aircraft manual/checklist is written in blood, and it's so important to know your limits and be prepared. Well Done Sir!
Written in blood…dang that sounds morbid but I know it’s true which is why I never pursued aviation beyond my flight sim. I like the technology but not the danger.
As a retired Navy tail hook dude and senior B747-400 & B747-8F captain, also typed in these babies: MD11, B767,B757,B727 & B747-100. I wholeheartedly agree. All aircraft manuals, especially military are written in blood.
Excellent comment. Written in blood ? The pilot has to go out and look for that written blood and read it often. Channels like this one do a great job of letting people think what they would do in the same place.
That is heart breaking. That's the trouble with General Aviation. The experience level is usually far too low and the equipment's typically not very sophisticated. It's CAVU flying only.
As someone who retired at age 68 after flying a Baron for 27 years, this tragic flight really hit home. I found it harder and harder to maintain proficiency due to the fast paced advancements in navigational technology (the Baron's panel was loaded with Garmin glass and a full autopilot) and the demands of desk bound responsibilities at the office. With cockpit proficiency suffering, that's when I decided it was time to hang it up. After 40+ years of flying it was a difficult decision to walk away from being a pilot but it's a decision I do not regret for one moment.
I've got to give you kudos for having the courage to make that decision. A lot of pilots don't, so can't live the saying, it's better to be down here wishing you were up there than being up there wishing you were down there.
At 74, I have hung up my wings. For reasons just like this. In all my years of flying, I don't think I ever encountered a controller as professional, and as courteous as this one!
Wise man. I'm over 80 and the time comes in life when decisions have to be made on continuing activities; in your case, flying; in my case driving. Giving up flying; no more' surly bonds of earth', must be particularly wrenching. I'm no pilot but 27 years in the RAF taught me the lure. Plaudits to you sir for being realistic and more important, honest with yourself. Good luck in future earthbound ventures!
I am currently an airline Airbus 320 pilot. I flew international for 15 years on a Boeing 767. Every video I watch of yours I take something away and can easily use it in my profession. Thank you so much, you are saving lives.
This is scary. My daughter aborted a landing during a solo the other night because she was flying into a dark airfield in the middle of nowhere that she was unfamiliar with. She just didn’t want to risk it. Her instructor was fully supportive afterward and I’m grateful that her flight school takes these things seriously. My daughter has her IFR (working on commercial) but that black hole effect is so overwhelming!
He never sounded confident that he actually saw the runway, even though they turned up the lights. A 72 yr old who’s not used to flying at night might simply struggle with night vision, like senior drivers on the road when it gets dark or in the rain. I’m not a pilot, but with many years in the military I noticed that some people (including myself) simply have a harder time at low light/blinding lights than others. Age doesn’t help here.
My dad did this for a living, he’s in his elderly years now, tho still fit and has massively reduced the distances he’ll consider and also doesn’t do after dark
@@BamaCyn I'm 58 and a former adrenalin junkie, test car driver, off road racer. I rarely drive at nite unless I have to as well. I was shocked to see how my driving skills took such a hit after not driving much in the first 6 months of covid. Driving (and flying) are PERISHABLE skills.
He was a very nice person, Having known him personally. He was my dogs vet. Should have refused runway change from his original IFR flight plan, cause he was so nice! RIP Dr. and Mrs. Partridge. Gordie Rosenberg, Multi-Instrument rated private pilot...
My bride convinced me to hang up my GA Flying career at 70 years old, persuasively pointing out that Airline Pilots are retired at 65 Years. I could feel the edges getting duller at about 68, so with seat-time annual hours dropping, and eyesight acuity affected with age, it was an easy, yet bitter-sweet, decision - to avoid an outcome similar to this event. Contributed all my gear to young pilots on their way up, at a reputable local Flying Club. Pay it forward.
Amen sir. A time and circumstance that we all will face someday. You did it with dignity and on your terms ! I agree, always pay it forward! Blessing to you sir!
Smart man. My Grandfather who had flown bombers in WWII and continued after the war recreational flying with multiple ratings had one scary close call with task saturation at not even a busy airport but had admitted that for the previous couple years he would make small mental mistakes but further explained, from his military flying career, “one little mistake when you’re flying can compound into a major one, and not just cost you your life, but others.” He too hung up his wings at 70. To quote Kenny Rogers, you gotta know when to hold em, when to fold em, when to walk away. It takes a bigger man to admit they need to hand it up
@@colin-nekritzThank you. Well spoken, and vitally confirming. Kenny Rogers was so correct. Not a lot of room for dangerous self-deception when you are a pilot; and particularly so for aging pilots.
I am 72 years old and I quit driving at night a couple of years ago and I refuse to drive in bad weather.. I think when most people get older there depth perception gets worse and of course old eyes are not young eyes.. getting old is not any fun but we do have a responsibility to our fellow citizens not to hurt them because of our old age problems😮😊
@@ggeorge4144 about how much did it cost and does Humana gold pay for it.. I was working for Uber but my eyes were so tricky that I quit driving.. do they do both eyes at the same time or one eye at a time? Does anybody ever go blind from the operation? I am talking about do they ever screw the operation up? Thanks 👍
@@ggeorge4144don’t fool yourself sir. I had cataracts done at 65 and while it helped I have come to realize depth perception is also a thing. I come from a flying family and the wisest one is the youngest.
This controller is a boss. Really good work. And i recon he was already dealing with the situation as an emergency.. tHE BLOCK HOLE EFFECT IS VERY REAL!
Yes I thought the controller did very well and realised the pilot was struggling. He was very patient in the communications, spoke clearly and calmly and was generally very helpful. As no emergency had been declared then once the pilot said he had the runway in sight I guess there wasn't much more the controller could do. Truly a sad story but thank you for telling us these things Hoover - you do so in a very understanding and sympathetic way. What went wrong on this flight are things we can all learn from pilots and simmers alike - indeed we should learn from them. I have come to understand that pilots with low hours in GA are very vulnerable to failing to plan their flight in detail and don't do a proper self briefing. If there's a chance you'll find your self unintentionally in IFR conditions then you need to be ahead of the aircraft otherwise things become very frightening very quickly.
My boss has been a pilot since the 70's. He had a 340 twin and we flew all over the eastern U.S. in it. When he got 70 yrs old, he found he was getting forgetful. He decided to quit flying. I know it broke his heart, but he fishes every weekend now. He's happy and mostly, alive......
Thanks for doing this video Hoover. We were friends of Harvey and Pat and had known them since we moved to St. Pete in the 80's. Harvey was by far one of the best veterinarians in FL. Some would say he could do the impossible and make it look easy. To lose both of them like this was a shock and it didn't have to happen. They could have delayed the flight and should have. They had been at a class reunion at Auburn a couple days before this flight. This was a side trip to see friends on the way back.
@@JenniferAguiartampaI think in many cases that is because money doesn't buy piloting experience or proficiency. Sadly, that doesn't seem to have been the case here.
@@richardkallio3868 I agree. One of them had thousands of hours of flying with lots of different ratings on many types of planes (not sure I described that correctly). Still died in a crash in his 60’s. He had been flying since he was a teenager & was highly respected as a pilot. I think a little of the reasons doctors have this type of record is a little of the “God Complex”. They literally do some of the hardest things every single day. Even a surgeon into his 60’s will have patients/complications/anatomy/diseases etc they have never seen. They are constantly challenged and have to “make it work”. I’ve worked with them for 30 years & been married to one for 25 years. They are a different breed of people. My husband knows there would be no airplanes/race cars/motorcycles in our marriage.
That controller rocks. Having worked Crash Fire Rescue for decades we monitor those conversations on declared emergency and or final so we can act, not necessarily react. The tone of voice by the controller put me at easy watching this. I can hear the pilot stress climbing by the minute.
I disagree - the controller should have recognized how behind the situation Harvey was and put him back on an approach to the big runway at RDU. Instead he kept trying to route him to this little dinky old runway that is little used at RDU vs the big well lit runway that almost all of the traffic into that airport uses. Forcing him to the 32 approach killed them.
@@johndavis9641 I think it's debatable whether another change of plans would have been a good idea here. By the by, the controller forced nothing, Harvey could at any time have requested a different runway, and the controller did not fly the plane into terrain. Blaming this on the controller really rubs me the wrong way.
@@goawaygoawaynow I did not mean to imply that I "blamed" the controller solely for the accident - but knowing the RDU airport and how problematic the approach to the 32 runway is vs the approach to either of the main runways - moving him to a runway he was unfamiliar with and unprepared for (he was prepared for the original approach to 5L that he asked for) - and a runway which is a much more difficult approach - the controllers bore a siginificant amount of responsibility for the events which led to this accident. IF they had let him land on one of the main runways like he had prepared for instead of the small, poorly lighted and less used 32 runway - he and his wife would be alive today. The controllers pushed him to the 32 runway instead of the 5L runway because it was more convenient for them since they had jets coming in on 5L and it would have inconvenienced them to sequence the slower piston plane into the sequence with the jets. They didn't consider that RDU was NOT his home airport and he was totally unfamiliar with the 32 approach. Even AFTER all the trouble he had with 32, they never suggested moving back to 5L which he was prepared for and had used before.
@@billjames3030 Harvey was already setup for either 5L or 5R at RDU, the controller said there were several jets coming in, but they would have sequenced him in if he had asked to stay with the 5 runways. I feel confident if he and the controller had agreed to do that, they would be alive today. RDU gets a moderate amount of flights into it - but I doubt if there were more than 3 or 4 jets on approach. I live under the 5 L/R approach path and I hear every plane that approaches those runways, it's not that busy any time. Just a very unfortunate set of events - but then every fatal crash is made up of them.
One of my bucket list items when I retired was to get my PPL. I'm 67 now and am thinking that I should cross that one off the list. I have been watching so many of these accident analysis videos and have learned a lot about what not to do but I still think it is just too dangerous for me to start flying at this age. I think I'll stay with cars and boats and just be happy watching flying videos.
There's no reason not to go for it. I've known pilots who were still flying into their 90s. One thing you will learn is your limits. As long as you keep those in mind, you'll be fine. A lot of incidents happen because pilots get into situations that are beyond their capabilities. That includes weather, darkness, and getting into a plane that is too complicated and unfamiliar. If you keep it simple, fly during good daytime weather, and only see flying as a fun hobby, rather than work or a mode of transportation, there is no reason not to do it. Even if you never (or only rarely) fly, just knowing that you can do it if you want to do it is quite satisfying. That has been my experience.
Without trying to sound callous, there is a shimmer of silver lining here; that he and his wife of 50 years died by each other’s side and will not know the pain of living on, one without the other.
I'm not a pilot and I haven't even flown in an airplane in 35 years, but I really enjoy your informative, detailed and respectful videos of these crashes. I appreciate your hard work in compiling the information. Thank you.
I’ve never flown a plane but I always enjoy your debriefs because they’re very human stories of human mistakes. I live next to the state park and I was present when they brought the fuselage out of the woods and lifted it onto a flatbed. So small, tailless, wingless and crumpled. He was my age, a medical guy and a fellow Floridian. I got a lump in my throat. Thanks for explaining what happened.
Such a tragedy, I think back about how many times you get that feeling when you think the flight is over and go whew, but it is NOT, Hoover thank you for bringing this horrible outcome to everyone attention.
What a tragedy....He sounds like a lovely person but all the way through his voice seemed to be showing a lack of confidence and understanding.... The Controllers did an amazing job...Thank you for highlighting another aviation crash with such empathy....Roger..Pembrokeshire UK
Flying instrument approaches, in weather, at night and single pilot are in a word, terrifying. Stories like this are truly heartbreaking. A second pilot onboard, familiar with your aircraft and the avionics reduces the risks tremendously. Not being current increases those same risks tremendously. It doesn't matter how proficient you were a year ago. What matters is where you were with that yesterday. Thanks for another great video Hoover.
I flew many night, instrument approaches back in my single pilot days, including in cloud conditions similar to this, and instructed numerous instrument students at night. Not terrifying. It's not like there were thunderstorms, turbulence, icing, or heavy (or any) precipitation. However, total experience and certificates/ratings, recency of experience are, of course, big factors. Although age is mentioned, it appears to me that experience (total and recent, especially night and instrument) were more causal, along with knowledge of the aircraft's equipment. I think the ILS runway (5R?) would have been a better choice once he found himself in that situation. Of course, not operating so far out of currency would have been an even better choice. Or having an experienced CFII on board. I am basically agreeing with you, minus the word "terrifying".
@@oncamerawithroberthenry531 Take weather out of it - just an approach down through a stratus layer with minimal turbulence and it's really a piece of cake. Add moderate turbulence to the mix and it quickly becomes pretty dicey. I'm a CFII (or was when I was still active), so maybe terrifying was a bit strong, but I've managed to put myself in a few situations by accident that were it was nothing short of that. Several things stand out here to me. First, he's flying single pilot IFR in weather of some sort - not a deal breaker at all, but it's a contributing factor. If he just had another pilot to handle the radios, it would have helped him a lot. Secondly, he didn't have a lot of time in that airplane and no apparent IFR experience in it. That's a very bad situation to be in. But being that far out of date, in IMC, in an airplane that you aren't that familiar with in the first place is a potential killer. In this case it was.
I flew night freight in upstate NY for 3 years (95, 96 and 98) using twin Cessnas. This was hard IFR, 1800 RVR at Utica and Watertown for weeks with lots of moderate, occasional severe icing. I never found it terrifying at all. Now, picking your way thru and being inside of level 3-4 thunderstorms night after night with no radar??? THAT…..is terrifying. 😂
Like Hoover said, he should have told the controller he was not current, it may have made all the difference because the controller would have handled him differently. He should have been upfront with this information from the start.
This one is truly sad. I used to work for a doctor and he flew the staff, in a piper, from Tulsa to love field several times a year for weekend spas. Not once did I think anything could happen. Now I realize just how fragile that environment really is. I’m a retired trauma nurse and the idea of being a pilot is more terrifying to me than dealing with someone who just came in from a massive collision. I’ve learned sooooo much from this amazing channel. Thanks for the time it takes to do this kind of education.
Impossible to find a more patient and understanding controller.A man with understanding and kindness.Sad outcome.My respects for the family and friends.Flying Ifr on your own in a small,non redundant aircraft,is a very serious matter,even for a proficient airman.Thanks for your great work.
I'm old, and pilots in their 70s should not be flying without another pilot with him! Because our brains are not as sharp as they used to be, our reflexes are not as quick as they can be. I'm in my 60s and can see them slowing down. What a sad deal.
I was just gonna say this. Guy had no business flying. He was confused and lost. Whether it's flying a plane or something more trivial like riding a motorcycle, people just don't know when to hang it up.
Indeed. I follow a swiss ex-pilot who is doing similar debriefs. He gave back his license when he was 65 because he thinks that senior people have no business piloting aircraft. Too many factors that old brains and eyes just can't adapt to fast enough. Flying at 72 is simply inexcusably irresponsible.
Thanks for another informative video, Hoover. I am a 1200-hr PP who flies a complex single engine airplane like this man. I had an engine quit on me 3 years ago, resulting in an off-airport landing in a a pasture in beautiful VFR conditions, which resulted in a totaled aircraft but no injuries. The FAA said I did everything right. But as I did my after-action review of the incident I realized that if I had been flying at night, or if flying over low IMC ceilings, I would probably not survived the landing. As a result, my personal al minimums have drastically changed. I will fly at night ONLY if the weather is perfect. I will fly in IMC but not into Low IFR conditions, and never at night. And I fly frequently, keeping my IFR rating and night flying current and proficient. As I watched this video, my heart sank. This pilot flew late in the day into IMC at twilight. He knew this would be the case when he did his flight planning, and he knew he was not current, yet he launched anyway! He knew he would have to do an instrument approach, but from what he said to ATC, he only looked at and briefed one approach. (I make a point of reviewing several approaches for my destination airport, and both RNAV and ILS approaches because you never know when your GPS or autopilot might go down.) As you said, he could have declared an emergency and asked for vectors to the FAF and hand-flown the ILS Rwy 5 approach. But he was unprepared, not current, and not proficient. Every takeoff is optional, but every landing is mandatory. So many flights end in tragedy because pilots don’t think this through.
Well at least you avoided the trap of preserving the airframe at the risk of losing both your life and the airframe. A good saying I heard a while ago is the moment the single engine quits, it is no longer your aircraft, it belongs to the insurance company now, and you just have to get down safe.
@@gavnonadoroge3092 the number 4 cylinder ate an exhaust valve. No indications of problems before that, and less than 80 hours after annual in which all 6 cylinders & valves had been inspected with a borescope.
You could hear that controller that was talking him through it really cared, and he was giving clear voice signals that Harvey wasn't bothering him to ask for this help. As you said, it's a tragedy that Harvey never thought to explicitly state the help he needed, or that the controller didn't recognize the severity of the situation which might have allowed him to declare on Harvey's behalf.
I am a retired airline pilot type rated in the DC-8, 747, and MD-11. You do a very nice job explaining what is going on and the events as they unfold-well done sir.
I was getting my PPL out of KTTA (just south of Raleigh) when this happened. My instructor said the same thing as you, spacial disorientation from flying over the state park. He took me up to land on 32 at night and it is very difficult to explain how confusing it is to go from the city lights of Raleigh to the blackness of the state park.
The Black Hole Illusion. Now I know what I was experiencing in 1973 landing on a clear calm night in a Cherokee 180 at Chico Regional Airport, CA on Runway 13L. My friend and I were doing touch and go's. Every time we were on short final we'd be low. We would see that we were low on the approach when a row of trees would get illuminated by the landing light. Every time we made our approach, it happened. The previous experiences did not set us up to adjust our approach angle or approach strategy. But I was 22 years old back then, too.
You ever land out at Catalina? There is an opposite illusion there during daylight due to having cliffs/dropoffs at each end. People tend to be high and land long, a few folks have run off the runway there.
@@ma-jp8bf I haven't landed at Catalina. Of course, it doesn't operate at night, but it must be that tabletop location that has pilots approaching high during the daytime,
ALWAYS cross-ref to your altimeter in night flights. Treat it like a partial instrument approach. Set an absolute minimum floor* that you will not deviate below until you are literally on top of the approach lights (*with due cognizance of all other obstacles along the way too.).
@@adamstevens1204 Yes, we were doing the same thing repeatedly and doing what both of us new Private Pilots (less than 100 hours each) were taught to do using the visual clues afforded by the runway lights to approach and land. We finally stopped "the exercise" because we were not getting "a different result". We both learned from it, but I never knew before seeing this video there was an identified technical term for the phenomenon.
I was in a situation like this coming into Camarillo years ago. I let the autopilot keep the heading and altitude and told ATC to give me a moment to relax and gather my thoughts. Successfully reprogrammed the auto pilot for the approach and got in safely.
The way Hoover describes these unfortunate accidents is amazing. His respect for the families and those lost is incredibly decent. Thanks for the great video, Hoover really enjoyed this one.
✈ Hoover, i'm retired ATC (ZDC)... When i heard the tone of the RDU controller's voice change from "business as usual" to a more concerned "something is different here" my heart just sank. Even though I had to deal with quite a few similar situations throughout my career, thankfully 🙏, mine all had safe endings. This story breaks my heart.
I'm actually a captain of specialised ships in offshore oil & gas with a life long long interest in aviation ( I did have a private licence 30 years ago - Cessna 172 , wish I still did) & have to say this is a great channel notwithstanding the often tragic outcomes. I think Hoover does an exceptional job of considering the events , working through them with appropriate sensitivity all in the name of increasing awareness and safety in flight. Very professional , well done.
This is sad because Harvey sounded alert and capable of dealing with all of the challenges he was facing. Sad Hoover, as you said, that he didn’t declare an emergency and ask for assistance and be talked down safely. My heart goes out to his family. Thank you for another excellent video!
This is what I call "the blinking awful cussedness of things in general. " Small things become big things which turn into bad decisions. RIP to his family 🙏
I land on 32 almost everyday. It is a pretty short runway and one that you really don't want to overfly since it is perpendicular to two other runways. The trees on final are also deceptively tall. If pilots are concerned about stopping in time they may have a tendency to get slower or lower on final. Not saying this is what happened here, but if it was dark, it's very possible that he simply misjudged the height of the trees. After seeing that the pilot was confused and not flying well, the controller almost certainly could have saved his life by offering 5R which is much more visible, 2x as long and 50% wider. 32 has been a fairly notorious runway at RDU, in fact a turboprop just crashed a couple weeks ago after bouncing and attempting a missed approach before crashing.
Sunday morning coffee and Hoover on the screen teaching me lessons I never knew I wanted. It's sobering how simple mistakes turn fatal; it reminds me that life is short and to love unreservedly. Hoover you do a great service to the aviation community, you are a credit to pilots everywhere (and to veterans like myself too) and your sane, sober, moral, prudent analyses are always one of the highest highlights of my week. I love your content.
I am a lay person , I do not fly a plane and have no wish even if I could afford it to do so , but your videos are clear and concise for someone like me to understand thank you !!!!!☺️🇬🇧
I'm not a pilot and don't even like to fly as a passenger. But I thank Hoover for showcasing very real and too often scenarios that cause bad things to happen. And, Hoover, please don't be mislead into thinking your style needs to be more exciting or entertaining. There's plenty of silliness on youtube already. We need more like you.
Harvey was obviously a good Pilot but that was too many obstacles to overcome with unexercised skills. Hoover you did a great job on this debrief and Harvey would have learned so much from it. It would have made him a better Pilot. It's sad he " relaxed " and failed to comprehend what he was seeing. I'm sorry for him, his wife, their family and friends.
When I see this sort of tragedy I am so thankful that I hung it up four years ago at age 71 after flying my Cherokee (full IFR) 1,800 hours for 34 years. With being down to 10 hours a year I was no longer maintaining proficiency and was becoming less and less comfortable and trusting my abilities and reaction time. So I sold the plane to a young man building hours for an airline career ... best decision I ever made!
Runway 32 at RDU saved my life several years ago. Taking off on 5R my Piper Cherokee lost power as I was turning south. Declared emergency and slipped the plane down to the runway landed with no problem. Great instructor training prepared me for this situation. Plus practice, practice, practice under a controlled environment.
WOW!!! Thank you Harvey... I am a 67 y/o student pilot and I own a little Cherokee 140. Great debrief all this is so important to me!!! Keep up the good work
take note here you're already too old to be a student only a few more years and the chances of you making a simple mistake are HIGH and that's going to be costly in an aircraft , take up another hobby 67 TOO old don't get into flying if your older then 35 imho
Sad story. I am not a pilot but I must say this controller is very calm and easy to understand. I watch many of these videos and most controllers are not easy to understand their directions! RIP❤
I've dealt with Raleigh approach many times in the past, and they're always great to deal with. Terrible this crash happened but approach was absolutely spot on here. I've flown this approach quite a few times. Scary to think about how it could all go wrong right at the last second.
He sounds exhausted…. It’s heartbreaking. They are my age and married the same amount of time. I can’t imagine the sadness with this event. Thanks Hoover
I had a whole long response on my thoughts to all of this but decided not to post it. I didn't think anyone would read it because of how long it was and I KNOW that some people have a hard time hearing the realities of what we do as pilots and would be incapable of handling a truly objective response. This was a great video. There are a few teachable moments in this accident that could certainly benefit some of the people who watch your videos. Anyone interested in what I think can certainly let me know. I'm nobody. I'm just another pilot who watches these videos because I lack the confidence and the knowledge on how to make my own. Thank for posting these videos, I've been a fan for a while and I appreciate what you do.
As retired police officers and only flew as passenger in uncles plane I feel every pilot should watch your videos. Very important to stay com and vigilant to your surroundings! Good stuff my friend
As a controller and also a pilot I love watching your videos. Always educational for me and helps with different ideas and plans dealing with my own emergency situations I run into with pilots.
As much as I love your videos. Hoover, I'm saddened by the loss of life due to little mistakes - and especially what's astounding is a lot of these pilots you discuss have thousands of hours experience more than I do. Either way, I appreciate the effort and that the lessons learned will help us avoid such mistakes.
What a lovely controller. He clearly grasped what was going on and did his level best to be the third crew member Harvey needed. His tone is exactly what you'd want to hear if you were a stressed-out pilot.
Man that was head breaking for sure! Got through all the hardest parts only to be sucked into the black hole. Been into aviation for a long time and I’ve never heard of that black hole illusion. I learned something else new today’ thank Hoover!
Spent some time as a passenger on Beechcraft bonanza with a friend . Never a relaxing moment…. Constantly looking for a place for an emergency landing, dealing with radio traffic…. Visibility that come and goes … . Flying is a physical and mental test that requires above average intelligence , instincts and the ability to multitask and is not for the elderly or people with poor reflexes
One of the reasons I sold my airplane was because of bad weather. Sure, as a low time single engine pilot I could fly an IFR approach. But as one of my professional pilot friends told me- "if you aren't flying on instruments all the time to be proficient- and you don't have a co-pilot as a cross check- it's a lot more dangerous for you to fly single pilot IFR than any of us commercial guys flying faster jets." I sold my plane. I'm still alive.
It's not for all of us. I stopped flying for similar reasons - it just wasn't for me. Not in any way judging others, just noting that it's not for everyone despite how much fun and success we may have early on. It's these situations that told me that I wasn't cut out for it. God bless those that are - they have my utmost respect.
@@ourlifeinwyoming4654 I got my license at 17, logged about 110 hours and haven't flown since I was 22. The few tense situations I encountered made me fully appreciate what can happen, how quickly it can unfold and how little time there is to resolve it at 120+ mph. On the return of a VFR cross country from Ann Arbor, MI to Milwaukee, WI, I had to hug the coast of Lake Michigan because flying directly over the lake was not permitted in single engine aircraft. Flying past Chicago at around 2000 feet all visual references suddenly disappeared in fog. I had received clearance to fly over Meigs Field on the Chicago shoreline but with loss of visual orientation I began to think about the 1000+ foot buildings and how the water, sky and everything in between appeared identical. On board instruments got me past the fog but we had stayed a little too long in Milwaukee and I soon realized I was flying East into the approaching darkness. While my couple hours of hooded and night-fly training spared me and my two passengers in this case I can understand how these things work. When I hear about this incident and JFK Jr.'s accident decades ago, I can appreciate the situations they were in.
Hoover, you do a great job of telling these heart-breaking stories. Not a dull moment, and very thorough. It's also great to see the comments of pilots and to realize how much they are learning. All the best
Yes. Because instrument training should be required for ALL Pilots. Until then, we will always have confused ppl in the sky without any ability to read their own instruments, flying themselves straight into the earth. Again, would you allow someone to drive your car if they didn’t know how to read the speedometer⁉️
I was just a few hours from taking my instrument check ride. Back then (early 90’s) the 172’s that I flew had steam gauges and no auto-pilot…and single pilot. The stress from flying in those conditions took all the joy out of flying. I never regretted not getting my instrument rating!
I love this controller. He did everything he could, and I loved how he changed to his emergency tone and relaxed his communication, even though the pilot didn’t declare it. He sounds like he possibly has his instrument rating. He was professional and knew when to shift into “do everything you can to bring calm and assistance to the pilot.” I was an Air Force Air Traffic Controller and private pilot with a lot of IFR experience flying with my dad from 11 years old. He was an ATP rated pilot and an FAA controller for 34 years with more assists and saves than can be counted. I was in several inflight emergencies with my dad and use to go to work with him as a kid, on mid shifts, and plug in with him all night. This controller reminds me of my dad on both sides of the radio. Great Job buddy. It hurts to lose one, but know you did everything you could. I’m proud of you. 🙏😔🫵 You we’re the angel on the radio.
Another thoughtful, helpful analysis, Hoover. Wishing everyone a Memorial Day filled with reflection and appreciation for those who served and have gone before us.
Thank you for another excellent debrief. And congratulations on surpassing half a million subscribers! They are well deserved and with the quality of your work I have no doubt you’ll hit that million subs mark sooner rather than later. Wishing you and yours a great weekend.
I am always amazed how helpful ATC are with pilots in trouble especially when they are also dealing with commercial aircraft coming into the same airport.
Good analysis. ATC didn't really cover themselves with glory (I can comment as I am a retired ATC and vfr only pilot). It was fairly clear that the pilot was having real difficulty navigating, in fact he said so. The constant attempts to get him to fly different RNAV approaches to various waypoints really added to his stress and workload. It was a radar environment, the controller should have taken control giving radar vectors at an earlier stage to the final approach track and could have improvised a surveillance radar approach to a short final with advisory heights to fly, or better still radar vectors to an ILS equipped runway with radar monitoring. Sometimes you have to declare/assume an emergency even if the pilot doesn't.
Agreed. Harvey struggled with entering new approaches. So he couldn't handle any more changes that were overloading him. Despite of all his struggles, they worked productively as as team until the end when neither knew where he was. ATC should check his location / altitude instead of asking -- that was his last chance of survival.
If you're having trouble figuring out what is wrong, go all the way back to the beginning. Early on, he said he was already set up for another approach (although he did reference it was an RNAV procedure). It could have been something as simple as an incorrect NAV Source. When a new approach is assigned, restart the approach checklist from the very beginning.
I am a relatively low hour pilot (mostly aerobatics in a Pitts but little nav and weather) and this video and analysis was very usefull and a great reminder for me on whats involved with long distance flying and getting there before nightfall. For me, that's what the pros do because recency is so important for those skills. Thanks.
I did a lot of single pilot IFR and one thing I kept in mind, and always repeated to my self, is fly the numbers...you are going to put the needles somewhere, so put them where they belong....it is a simple saying, that is easy to remember and to say to your self. I never had an autopilot in my a/c. The autopilot is good, but I was helping pilots get refreshed in approaches, they always wanted to just fly the autopilot, I would always make them turn it off or I would tell them, then pull the fuse. Basically, I made them hand fly. In my opinion, pilots get lazy or spoiled, and they would relax to the point that if something happens to the autopilot, then they are totally lost. Every pilot I trained liked this was pissed when I did it, but once we landed, they were ALL happy that I made them realize that an autopilot can go out at any time. FLY THE NUMBERS
Totally agree. In simming I use the autopilot a lot - even on approaches but I've learnt from people like Juan Browne and Hoover that it's vital to kill the autopilot (and usually get the nose down for air speed) when things get unstable. And from Ryan Farren I've certainly learnt the reason for "Flying the Numbers!" In Central PNG there is no other way but as you say it applies everywhere.
Autopilot is only as good as the information it is receiving. It sounded from the video that he'd lost GPS navigation, so the autopilot didn't even know where it was. I don't know if the man in this video had ILS or anything else installed, but practicing with alternate systems may have helped him in this case.
Great analysis, Hoover! Poor Harvey! Many pilots die because of overconfidence in their skills. My instructor taught me to treat every flight as if it were a checkride with an really grumpy and picky examiner looking for mistakes and failures. I think about my past mistakes, and those by other pilots and controllers. This taught me the importance of flight planning. I have a completely different flight planning process than other pilots. Before flying into a new airport, I always check a map to find the best place to make an emergency or off airport landing, or crash, off the end of each runway. I mark those places on a sectional I keep strapped to my leg. I study each airport on Google Earth before going there to get a feel for the airport, its surroundings and obstacles. Had Harvey done this, he would have been aware of the forest off the end of the runway. A large lake can have same effect.
I'm 39, female, and never married. No kids. I feel a little strange to not be married at my age. On one hand, I don't want to eventually be an old maid. But then I think of all the people I know who are either divorced or stuck in a miserable marriage, and then I don't feel so bad. I can't imagine what it'd be like living in the same house with someone I couldn't stand.
This was a heartbreaking tragedy because despite some of Harvey's mistakes he still had an opportunity to land and he probably would have learned a lot from this harrowing experience. Unfortunately, this is perhaps a good reminder to never let your guard down and the flight isn't over until you shut down and walk away from the aircraft. Be sure to check out this other heartbreaking story of a pilot that had an engine malfunction and tried desperately to make it back to the runway. 👉 ruclips.net/video/XTjcT4rhnS8/видео.html
Wise words... It's like my father taught me when teaching me good habits for riding motorcycles on the street.
The risks begin from the moment you leave the driveway and they're not over until the moment you switch off the bike. NEVER ride without your gear on and remember that a fatal accident is just as likely to occur when you're just "popping to the shops for milk" as it is on a winding back road. Often that's when they do, on those short rides. People let their guard down and miss a car who didn't see them, they don't bother with their gear or simply get too relaxed when they're in the familiar streets of their neighbourhood and make a life changing mistake.
I've never had a crash in 18 years on the road, but had moments where I've been saved by the good habits and experience Dad taught me. Even still, I think of every ride as an opportunity to practice and learn. As well as a calculated risk.
I'll be bringing that same attitude to getting my pilot's licence. I'm beginning my journey in the spring, which is September in the upside down unda country here. I'm cautiously excited. It's channels like this that make me think I can do it, because of how good the aviation scene is at taking teachable moments from the tragic mistakes of others. It's not a disrespectful thing, in a way it honours the life of those who paid the price, so you don't.
Love all you do here mate!
The Partridges were good friends and neighbors of our family.
Perhaps I have missed something but shouldn't the tower have warned Harvey when he was at 1400 feet instead of 2400 and then continued to be low? I'm not a pilot but study these videos as if I were.
So sorry for everyone & their tragic loss. Hopefully by Hoover’s great video we all learn from this as it may just save others one day.
@@richardobrien6188: I think that the controller didn't want to put yet another burden onto this hopelessly over-tasked pilot being sooo far behind his airplane already... Plus: The ceiling might not have allowed the pilot to remain in VMC at 2'400 feet - and the last thing the controller wanted was to send the pilot back into IMC. When the pilot stated, that he had the runway in sight the controller's job was per se finished as he cleared the pilot for a visual approach.
Hoover's analysis regarding this approach being one into a black hole is spot on though. It takes a whole lot of experience (and the recency of it) to judge ones correct glide path into such a 'hole' without the aid of an ILS or GPS. I also see an over-dependence on the automatics of this unfortunate pilot.
Always expect the unexpected. Avionics can and will fail and quite often at the most inappropriate moment... ATP ret.
I am a retired B747 Captain with over 30,000 hrs International experience. I have been so impressed with your debriefs and am now sharing them with my son who is a CFII Flight Instructor. I believe that you are doing a great service to practicing pilots and may one day save a life. As I'm sure you are aware, we review and debrief accidents every year in training in hopes that we can learn from these heartbreaking mistakes. Every aircraft manual/checklist is written in blood, and it's so important to know your limits and be prepared. Well Done Sir!
Written in blood…dang that sounds morbid but I know it’s true which is why I never pursued aviation beyond my flight sim. I like the technology but not the danger.
As a retired Navy tail hook dude and senior B747-400 & B747-8F captain, also typed in these babies: MD11, B767,B757,B727 & B747-100. I wholeheartedly agree. All aircraft manuals, especially military are written in blood.
Agreed!
Excellent comment. Written in blood ? The pilot has to go out and look for that written blood and read it often. Channels like this one do a great job of letting people think what they would do in the same place.
That is heart breaking. That's the trouble with General Aviation. The experience level is usually far too low and the equipment's typically not very sophisticated. It's CAVU flying only.
As someone who retired at age 68 after flying a Baron for 27 years, this tragic flight really hit home. I found it harder and harder to maintain proficiency due to the fast paced advancements in navigational technology (the Baron's panel was loaded with Garmin glass and a full autopilot) and the demands of desk bound responsibilities at the office. With cockpit proficiency suffering, that's when I decided it was time to hang it up. After 40+ years of flying it was a difficult decision to walk away from being a pilot but it's a decision I do not regret for one moment.
I've got to give you kudos for having the courage to make that decision.
A lot of pilots don't, so can't live the saying, it's better to be down here wishing you were up there than being up there wishing you were down there.
You’re a proven safe pilot.
How many hours did you log?
-I prefer remaining on the ground.
A&P/IA
Same age here. Mind just doesn't keep up the way it use to.
You are a wise man. I wish we had more like you.
I retired from flying at 66 after 41 years of flying for the exact same reasons.
At 74, I have hung up my wings. For reasons just like this. In all my years of flying, I don't think I ever encountered a controller as professional, and as courteous as this one!
I'm glad you value your precious life more that flying these stupid deathtraps.
Wise man. I'm over 80 and the time comes in life when decisions have to be made on continuing activities; in your case, flying; in my case driving. Giving up flying; no more' surly bonds of earth', must be particularly wrenching. I'm no pilot but 27 years in the RAF taught me the lure. Plaudits to you sir for being realistic and more important, honest with yourself. Good luck in future earthbound ventures!
@@Firebrand55 Thank you for your service
My father flew too and kicked and screamed when he had to give it up. He is blind now.
I never had wings because of smashing something hard…
I am currently an airline Airbus 320 pilot. I flew international for 15 years on a Boeing 767. Every video I watch of yours I take something away and can easily use it in my profession. Thank you so much, you are saving lives.
I have to stop feeling a bit silly when I decline a flight because I'm not 100% happy with weather, time or other conditions.
Believe me, your family is grateful for your cautious decision making
Yes, you do. Trust your instincts.
Never feel silly for listening to your gut feeling!
If feeling silly about a flight is wrong, never try to be right.
@@PAGoTribe1963 it is feeling silly about declining a flight, what posted.
This is scary. My daughter aborted a landing during a solo the other night because she was flying into a dark airfield in the middle of nowhere that she was unfamiliar with. She just didn’t want to risk it. Her instructor was fully supportive afterward and I’m grateful that her flight school takes these things seriously. My daughter has her IFR (working on commercial) but that black hole effect is so overwhelming!
He never sounded confident that he actually saw the runway, even though they turned up the lights. A 72 yr old who’s not used to flying at night might simply struggle with night vision, like senior drivers on the road when it gets dark or in the rain. I’m not a pilot, but with many years in the military I noticed that some people (including myself) simply have a harder time at low light/blinding lights than others. Age doesn’t help here.
I'm 74 and plan all my trip driving in daylight. I only drive at night in familiar areas, mainly because of depth perception. So tragic 😢
My dad did this for a living, he’s in his elderly years now, tho still fit and has massively reduced the distances he’ll consider and also doesn’t do after dark
Age and loss of cognitive abilities is the unspoken reality we're not allowed to discuss ..from airplanes to the White House.
@@bloozedaddy Great comment...and so true. i'm 67 and I don't drive much at night anymore and we do gradually lose cognitive function.
@@BamaCyn I'm 58 and a former adrenalin junkie, test car driver, off road racer. I rarely drive at nite unless I have to as well. I was shocked to see how my driving skills took such a hit after not driving much in the first 6 months of covid. Driving (and flying) are PERISHABLE skills.
He was a very nice person, Having known him personally. He was my dogs vet. Should have refused runway change from his original IFR flight plan, cause he was so nice! RIP Dr. and Mrs. Partridge. Gordie Rosenberg, Multi-Instrument rated private pilot...
My bride convinced me to hang up my GA Flying career at 70 years old, persuasively pointing out that Airline Pilots are retired at 65 Years. I could feel the edges getting duller at about 68, so with seat-time annual hours dropping, and eyesight acuity affected with age, it was an easy, yet bitter-sweet, decision - to avoid an outcome similar to this event. Contributed all my gear to young pilots on their way up, at a reputable local Flying Club. Pay it forward.
You are a wise man, and have a very wise bride as well!❤
Amen sir.
A time and circumstance that we all will face someday.
You did it with dignity and on your terms !
I agree, always pay it forward!
Blessing to you sir!
Smart man. My Grandfather who had flown bombers in WWII and continued after the war recreational flying with multiple ratings had one scary close call with task saturation at not even a busy airport but had admitted that for the previous couple years he would make small mental mistakes but further explained, from his military flying career, “one little mistake when you’re flying can compound into a major one, and not just cost you your life, but others.” He too hung up his wings at 70. To quote Kenny Rogers, you gotta know when to hold em, when to fold em, when to walk away. It takes a bigger man to admit they need to hand it up
@@colin-nekritzThank you. Well spoken, and vitally confirming. Kenny Rogers was so correct. Not a lot of room for dangerous self-deception when you are a pilot; and particularly so for aging pilots.
I am 72 years old and I quit driving at night a couple of years ago and I refuse to drive in bad weather.. I think when most people get older there depth perception gets worse and of course old eyes are not young eyes.. getting old is not any fun but we do have a responsibility to our fellow citizens not to hurt them because of our old age problems😮😊
And to think we have two Presidential candidates, basically 10 years your senior
@@adamstevens1204yeah but one is super sharp and loves our country. One should be in a nursing home.
I had that problem at 65 and got rid of the cataracts. I am 82 and can still see fine at night. The surgery is well worth it.
@@ggeorge4144 about how much did it cost and does Humana gold pay for it.. I was working for Uber but my eyes were so tricky that I quit driving.. do they do both eyes at the same time or one eye at a time? Does anybody ever go blind from the operation? I am talking about do they ever screw the operation up? Thanks 👍
@@ggeorge4144don’t fool yourself sir. I had cataracts done at 65 and while it helped I have come to realize depth perception is also a thing. I come from a flying family and the wisest one is the youngest.
This controller is a boss. Really good work. And i recon he was already dealing with the situation as an emergency.. tHE BLOCK HOLE EFFECT IS VERY REAL!
Great empathy and compassion; I think he felt this wasn't going to end well.
Yes I thought the controller did very well and realised the pilot was struggling. He was very patient in the communications, spoke clearly and calmly and was generally very helpful. As no emergency had been declared then once the pilot said he had the runway in sight I guess there wasn't much more the controller could do. Truly a sad story but thank you for telling us these things Hoover - you do so in a very understanding and sympathetic way. What went wrong on this flight are things we can all learn from pilots and simmers alike - indeed we should learn from them. I have come to understand that pilots with low hours in GA are very vulnerable to failing to plan their flight in detail and don't do a proper self briefing. If there's a chance you'll find your self unintentionally in IFR conditions then you need to be ahead of the aircraft otherwise things become very frightening very quickly.
In imc always xcheck rnav with raw data.
He is not a boss. The pilot died.
I appreciated that he went from being all business to being very considerate and understanding when he sensed that the pilot was distressed.
My boss has been a pilot since the 70's. He had a 340 twin and we flew all over the eastern U.S. in it. When he got 70 yrs old, he found he was getting forgetful. He decided to quit flying. I know it broke his heart, but he fishes every weekend now. He's happy and mostly, alive......
To be fair if you make it to 70 and can enjoy fishing, you've won life and are in a privileged position. I hope he makes the best use of it!
I'll bet he's a great..."fly" fisher. 🤔
I thank you.
Thanks for doing this video Hoover. We were friends of Harvey and Pat and had known them since we moved to St. Pete in the 80's. Harvey was by far one of the best veterinarians in FL. Some would say he could do the impossible and make it look easy. To lose both of them like this was a shock and it didn't have to happen. They could have delayed the flight and should have. They had been at a class reunion at Auburn a couple days before this flight. This was a side trip to see friends on the way back.
Thank you for sharing your personal connection to this debrief and I’m very sorry for your loss.
Heartbreaking on many, many levels. ❤
I know so many doctors (MD, Vet, Dentist) who die flying their planes. I won’t fly with one.
@@JenniferAguiartampaI think in many cases that is because money doesn't buy piloting experience or proficiency. Sadly, that doesn't seem to have been the case here.
@@richardkallio3868 I agree. One of them had thousands of hours of flying with lots of different ratings on many types of planes (not sure I described that correctly). Still died in a crash in his 60’s. He had been flying since he was a teenager & was highly respected as a pilot. I think a little of the reasons doctors have this type of record is a little of the “God Complex”. They literally do some of the hardest things every single day. Even a surgeon into his 60’s will have patients/complications/anatomy/diseases etc they have never seen. They are constantly challenged and have to “make it work”. I’ve worked with them for 30 years & been married to one for 25 years. They are a different breed of people. My husband knows there would be no airplanes/race cars/motorcycles in our marriage.
That controller rocks. Having worked Crash Fire Rescue for decades we monitor those conversations on declared emergency and or final so we can act, not necessarily react. The tone of voice by the controller put me at easy watching this. I can hear the pilot stress climbing by the minute.
I disagree - the controller should have recognized how behind the situation Harvey was and put him back on an approach to the big runway at RDU. Instead he kept trying to route him to this little dinky old runway that is little used at RDU vs the big well lit runway that almost all of the traffic into that airport uses. Forcing him to the 32 approach killed them.
@@johndavis9641 I think it's debatable whether another change of plans would have been a good idea here. By the by, the controller forced nothing, Harvey could at any time have requested a different runway, and the controller did not fly the plane into terrain. Blaming this on the controller really rubs me the wrong way.
@@goawaygoawaynow I did not mean to imply that I "blamed" the controller solely for the accident - but knowing the RDU airport and how problematic the approach to the 32 runway is vs the approach to either of the main runways - moving him to a runway he was unfamiliar with and unprepared for (he was prepared for the original approach to 5L that he asked for) - and a runway which is a much more difficult approach - the controllers bore a siginificant amount of responsibility for the events which led to this accident. IF they had let him land on one of the main runways like he had prepared for instead of the small, poorly lighted and less used 32 runway - he and his wife would be alive today. The controllers pushed him to the 32 runway instead of the 5L runway because it was more convenient for them since they had jets coming in on 5L and it would have inconvenienced them to sequence the slower piston plane into the sequence with the jets. They didn't consider that RDU was NOT his home airport and he was totally unfamiliar with the 32 approach. Even AFTER all the trouble he had with 32, they never suggested moving back to 5L which he was prepared for and had used before.
@@johndavis9641 With very busy jet airliner traffic would they have allowed that if pilot in trouble asked for RDU ???
@@billjames3030 Harvey was already setup for either 5L or 5R at RDU, the controller said there were several jets coming in, but they would have sequenced him in if he had asked to stay with the 5 runways. I feel confident if he and the controller had agreed to do that, they would be alive today. RDU gets a moderate amount of flights into it - but I doubt if there were more than 3 or 4 jets on approach. I live under the 5 L/R approach path and I hear every plane that approaches those runways, it's not that busy any time. Just a very unfortunate set of events - but then every fatal crash is made up of them.
Impressed with the controller, he did a great job trying to help him out.
One of my bucket list items when I retired was to get my PPL. I'm 67 now and am thinking that I should cross that one off the list. I have been watching so many of these accident analysis videos and have learned a lot about what not to do but I still think it is just too dangerous for me to start flying at this age. I think I'll stay with cars and boats and just be happy watching flying videos.
There's no reason not to go for it. I've known pilots who were still flying into their 90s.
One thing you will learn is your limits. As long as you keep those in mind, you'll be fine.
A lot of incidents happen because pilots get into situations that are beyond their capabilities. That includes weather, darkness, and getting into a plane that is too complicated and unfamiliar.
If you keep it simple, fly during good daytime weather, and only see flying as a fun hobby, rather than work or a mode of transportation, there is no reason not to do it.
Even if you never (or only rarely) fly, just knowing that you can do it if you want to do it is quite satisfying. That has been my experience.
Yes …. Too late don’t start it takes years and hundreds of hours with all the ratings to become proficient and safe
Hoover, you are providing a life-saving service to your fellow pilots. Thank you, Sir!
Go for it. You can stop any time you want.
This video really upset me. When you think about the fact that you're listening to someone's last moments, it is just terrible.
Learning from other’s mistakes saves lives.
Without trying to sound callous, there is a shimmer of silver lining here; that he and his wife of 50 years died by each other’s side and will not know the pain of living on, one without the other.
Then don’t. It’s there for others to learn.
@@JB-uk7mn i thought of this, too. At least, they died together...quickly. May they RIP.
The sky is unforgiven. 🙏 RIP couple .
I'm not a pilot and I haven't even flown in an airplane in 35 years, but I really enjoy your informative, detailed and respectful videos of these crashes. I appreciate your hard work in compiling the information. Thank you.
I’ve never flown a plane but I always enjoy your debriefs because they’re very human stories of human mistakes. I live next to the state park and I was present when they brought the fuselage out of the woods and lifted it onto a flatbed. So small, tailless, wingless and crumpled. He was my age, a medical guy and a fellow Floridian. I got a lump in my throat. Thanks for explaining what happened.
I love these videos and don’t know a thing about flying. I’m an ICU RN but for some reason I love everything about flying and your channel is amazing.
Hoover, the bigger your channel grows, the more lives you could save.
I am always amazed at the incredible empathy and professionalism of US ATC
I have a good friend who is an ATC at Charlotte NC
He is an amazing guy and ultra professional at his job ! 👍
Such a tragedy, I think back about how many times you get that feeling when you think the flight is over and go whew, but it is NOT, Hoover thank you for bringing this horrible outcome to everyone attention.
I’m not a pilot but a retired mariner and I applaud your debriefings and focus on safety. Excellence all around.
IMO , this may be the best controller I have ever heard . GREAT job .. RIP Mr. and Mrs. Partridge ....
What a tragedy....He sounds like a lovely person but all the way through his voice seemed to be showing a lack of confidence and understanding.... The Controllers did an amazing job...Thank you for highlighting another aviation crash with such empathy....Roger..Pembrokeshire UK
i own a field in front of a runway. This explains why so many of the small planes end up on our property when the clouds are low.
He sounded confused and overwhelmed... What a horrible tragedy.....
Flying instrument approaches, in weather, at night and single pilot are in a word, terrifying. Stories like this are truly heartbreaking. A second pilot onboard, familiar with your aircraft and the avionics reduces the risks tremendously. Not being current increases those same risks tremendously. It doesn't matter how proficient you were a year ago. What matters is where you were with that yesterday. Thanks for another great video Hoover.
I flew many night, instrument approaches back in my single pilot days, including in cloud conditions similar to this, and instructed numerous instrument students at night. Not terrifying. It's not like there were thunderstorms, turbulence, icing, or heavy (or any) precipitation. However, total experience and certificates/ratings, recency of experience are, of course, big factors. Although age is mentioned, it appears to me that experience (total and recent, especially night and instrument) were more causal, along with knowledge of the aircraft's equipment. I think the ILS runway (5R?) would have been a better choice once he found himself in that situation. Of course, not operating so far out of currency would have been an even better choice. Or having an experienced CFII on board. I am basically agreeing with you, minus the word "terrifying".
@@oncamerawithroberthenry531 Take weather out of it - just an approach down through a stratus layer with minimal turbulence and it's really a piece of cake. Add moderate turbulence to the mix and it quickly becomes pretty dicey. I'm a CFII (or was when I was still active), so maybe terrifying was a bit strong, but I've managed to put myself in a few situations by accident that were it was nothing short of that. Several things stand out here to me.
First, he's flying single pilot IFR in weather of some sort - not a deal breaker at all, but it's a contributing factor. If he just had another pilot to handle the radios, it would have helped him a lot. Secondly, he didn't have a lot of time in that airplane and no apparent IFR experience in it. That's a very bad situation to be in. But being that far out of date, in IMC, in an airplane that you aren't that familiar with in the first place is a potential killer. In this case it was.
I flew night freight in upstate NY for 3 years (95, 96 and 98) using twin Cessnas. This was hard IFR, 1800 RVR at Utica and Watertown for weeks with lots of moderate, occasional severe icing. I never found it terrifying at all. Now, picking your way thru and being inside of level 3-4 thunderstorms night after night with no radar??? THAT…..is terrifying. 😂
Like Hoover said, he should have told the controller he was not current, it may have made all the difference because the controller would have handled him differently. He should have been upfront with this information from the start.
Idk. I do it frequently single pilot. I wouldn’t say it’s scary at all. As a cfii I think he was just rusty and started feeling panicked.
This one is truly sad. I used to work for a doctor and he flew the staff, in a piper, from Tulsa to love field several times a year for weekend spas. Not once did I think anything could happen. Now I realize just how fragile that environment really is. I’m a retired trauma nurse and the idea of being a pilot is more terrifying to me than dealing with someone who just came in from a massive collision. I’ve learned sooooo much from this amazing channel. Thanks for the time it takes to do this kind of education.
Impossible to find a more patient and understanding controller.A man with understanding and kindness.Sad outcome.My respects for the family and friends.Flying Ifr on your own in a small,non redundant aircraft,is a very serious matter,even for a proficient airman.Thanks for your great work.
I'm old, and pilots in their 70s should not be flying without another pilot with him! Because our brains are not as sharp as they used to be, our reflexes are not as quick as they can be. I'm in my 60s and can see them slowing down. What a sad deal.
I was just gonna say this. Guy had no business flying. He was confused and lost. Whether it's flying a plane or something more trivial like riding a motorcycle, people just don't know when to hang it up.
I’m 87 and still alert, I’ve had a couple of near misses during landing but who doesn’t?
Indeed. I follow a swiss ex-pilot who is doing similar debriefs. He gave back his license when he was 65 because he thinks that senior people have no business piloting aircraft.
Too many factors that old brains and eyes just can't adapt to fast enough. Flying at 72 is simply inexcusably irresponsible.
@@ProTroll_UKhaha! I’m 61, so I’m just a kid to you!
A&P/IA
@@David-p7z9n I’d already had a heart attack and stroke by 61.
Thanks for another informative video, Hoover. I am a 1200-hr PP who flies a complex single engine airplane like this man. I had an engine quit on me 3 years ago, resulting in an off-airport landing in a a pasture in beautiful VFR conditions, which resulted in a totaled aircraft but no injuries. The FAA said I did everything right. But as I did my after-action review of the incident I realized that if I had been flying at night, or if flying over low IMC ceilings, I would probably not survived the landing. As a result, my personal al minimums have drastically changed. I will fly at night ONLY if the weather is perfect. I will fly in IMC but not into Low IFR conditions, and never at night. And I fly frequently, keeping my IFR rating and night flying current and proficient.
As I watched this video, my heart sank. This pilot flew late in the day into IMC at twilight. He knew this would be the case when he did his flight planning, and he knew he was not current, yet he launched anyway! He knew he would have to do an instrument approach, but from what he said to ATC, he only looked at and briefed one approach. (I make a point of reviewing several approaches for my destination airport, and both RNAV and ILS approaches because you never know when your GPS or autopilot might go down.) As you said, he could have declared an emergency and asked for vectors to the FAF and hand-flown the ILS Rwy 5 approach. But he was unprepared, not current, and not proficient.
Every takeoff is optional, but every landing is mandatory. So many flights end in tragedy because pilots don’t think this through.
Very well said. Hoover's debriefs are often sad but there is so much for us to learn from them.
Well at least you avoided the trap of preserving the airframe at the risk of losing both your life and the airframe.
A good saying I heard a while ago is the moment the single engine quits, it is no longer your aircraft, it belongs to the insurance company now, and you just have to get down safe.
@JamesWilliams-en3os why did the engine quit on you?
@@gavnonadoroge3092 the number 4 cylinder ate an exhaust valve. No indications of problems before that, and less than 80 hours after annual in which all 6 cylinders & valves had been inspected with a borescope.
You could hear that controller that was talking him through it really cared, and he was giving clear voice signals that Harvey wasn't bothering him to ask for this help. As you said, it's a tragedy that Harvey never thought to explicitly state the help he needed, or that the controller didn't recognize the severity of the situation which might have allowed him to declare on Harvey's behalf.
Wow! Those ATC folks are just amazing.
I am a retired airline pilot type rated in the DC-8, 747, and MD-11. You do a very nice job explaining what is going on and the events as they unfold-well done sir.
I was getting my PPL out of KTTA (just south of Raleigh) when this happened. My instructor said the same thing as you, spacial disorientation from flying over the state park. He took me up to land on 32 at night and it is very difficult to explain how confusing it is to go from the city lights of Raleigh to the blackness of the state park.
Since the park is closed at night seems like there should be a light or two in the middle of the park just for pilots to orient themselves with.
@@mrlafayette1964 That does sound like it would be smart.
But it's hard to believe your instruments would be lying to you. Dark or not, you don't have to guess altitude.
These videos reinforce in my mind that I could NEVER have become a pilot. My palms get sweaty just thinking about it!
Same …. My Grandfather was a pilot… but I have such a fear of heights and I tend to panic in stressful situations!
The Black Hole Illusion. Now I know what I was experiencing in 1973 landing on a clear calm night in a Cherokee 180 at Chico Regional Airport, CA on Runway 13L. My friend and I were doing touch and go's. Every time we were on short final we'd be low. We would see that we were low on the approach when a row of trees would get illuminated by the landing light. Every time we made our approach, it happened. The previous experiences did not set us up to adjust our approach angle or approach strategy. But I was 22 years old back then, too.
You ever land out at Catalina? There is an opposite illusion there during daylight due to having cliffs/dropoffs at each end. People tend to be high and land long, a few folks have run off the runway there.
@@ma-jp8bf I haven't landed at Catalina. Of course, it doesn't operate at night, but it must be that tabletop location that has pilots approaching high during the daytime,
ALWAYS cross-ref to your altimeter in night flights. Treat it like a partial instrument approach. Set an absolute minimum floor* that you will not deviate below until you are literally on top of the approach lights (*with due cognizance of all other obstacles along the way too.).
So, doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results?
@@adamstevens1204 Yes, we were doing the same thing repeatedly and doing what both of us new Private Pilots (less than 100 hours each) were taught to do using the visual clues afforded by the runway lights to approach and land. We finally stopped "the exercise" because we were not getting "a different result". We both learned from it, but I never knew before seeing this video there was an identified technical term for the phenomenon.
This channel is perfect. Detailed, technical, correct. And the storytelling is gripping. Impressive!
super sad man, you could even hear the relief in his voice when he broke through the clouds
I was in a situation like this coming into Camarillo years ago. I let the autopilot keep the heading and altitude and told ATC to give me a moment to relax and gather my thoughts. Successfully reprogrammed the auto pilot for the approach and got in safely.
Another heartbreaking tragedy but extremely well debriefed and informative...thanks again Hoover for all of your fantastic efforts with these videos!
You bet Hoover, just tragic. I hope the ATCs involved have someone to talk to, that's a huge amount of emotion there.
They offer counseling after crashes
Thank you for your service, Hoover, as a veteran and a safety advocate.
I am also 72 and while my eyesight is perfectly fine during the day, I can't say the same at night. That's why I avoid driving at night all together.
The way Hoover describes these unfortunate accidents is amazing. His respect for the families and those lost is incredibly decent. Thanks for the great video, Hoover really enjoyed this one.
✈ Hoover, i'm retired ATC (ZDC)... When i heard the tone of the RDU controller's voice change from "business as usual" to a more concerned "something is different here" my heart just sank. Even though I had to deal with quite a few similar situations throughout my career, thankfully 🙏, mine all had safe endings. This story breaks my heart.
Hoover. This is one of the saddest stories. Your presentation is always respectful and professional.
I'm actually a captain of specialised ships in offshore oil & gas with a life long long interest in aviation ( I did have a private licence 30 years ago - Cessna 172 , wish I still did) & have to say this is a great channel notwithstanding the often tragic outcomes. I think Hoover does an exceptional job of considering the events , working through them with appropriate sensitivity all in the name of increasing awareness and safety in flight. Very professional , well done.
Oil and gas is unfortunately unethical
@@Nicholas-f5 lol.
This is sad because Harvey sounded alert and capable of dealing with all of the challenges he was facing. Sad Hoover, as you said, that he didn’t declare an emergency and ask for assistance and be talked down safely. My heart goes out to his family. Thank you for another excellent video!
This is what I call "the blinking awful cussedness of things in general. " Small things become big things which turn into bad decisions. RIP to his family 🙏
a particular chain of events, if one link breaks then the accident doesn't happen.
@@adotintheshark4848 true.
I land on 32 almost everyday. It is a pretty short runway and one that you really don't want to overfly since it is perpendicular to two other runways. The trees on final are also deceptively tall. If pilots are concerned about stopping in time they may have a tendency to get slower or lower on final. Not saying this is what happened here, but if it was dark, it's very possible that he simply misjudged the height of the trees. After seeing that the pilot was confused and not flying well, the controller almost certainly could have saved his life by offering 5R which is much more visible, 2x as long and 50% wider. 32 has been a fairly notorious runway at RDU, in fact a turboprop just crashed a couple weeks ago after bouncing and attempting a missed approach before crashing.
Sunday morning coffee and Hoover on the screen teaching me lessons I never knew I wanted. It's sobering how simple mistakes turn fatal; it reminds me that life is short and to love unreservedly. Hoover you do a great service to the aviation community, you are a credit to pilots everywhere (and to veterans like myself too) and your sane, sober, moral, prudent analyses are always one of the highest highlights of my week. I love your content.
I am a lay person , I do not fly a plane and have no wish even if I could afford it to do so , but your videos are clear and concise for someone like me to understand thank you !!!!!☺️🇬🇧
I'm not a pilot and don't even like to fly as a passenger. But I thank Hoover for showcasing very real and too often scenarios that cause bad things to happen. And, Hoover, please don't be mislead into thinking your style needs to be more exciting or entertaining. There's plenty of silliness on youtube already. We need more like you.
Harvey was obviously a good Pilot but that was too many obstacles to overcome with unexercised skills. Hoover you did a great job on this debrief and Harvey would have learned so much from it. It would have made him a better Pilot. It's sad he " relaxed " and failed to comprehend what he was seeing. I'm sorry for him, his wife, their family and friends.
When I see this sort of tragedy I am so thankful that I hung it up four years ago at age 71 after flying my Cherokee (full IFR) 1,800 hours for 34 years. With being down to 10 hours a year I was no longer maintaining proficiency and was becoming less and less comfortable and trusting my abilities and reaction time. So I sold the plane to a young man building hours for an airline career ... best decision I ever made!
It's that damn house of cards. Each additional stress becomes life-threatening.
Runway 32 at RDU saved my life several years ago. Taking off on 5R my Piper Cherokee lost power as I was turning south. Declared emergency and slipped the plane down to the runway landed with no problem. Great instructor training prepared me for this situation. Plus practice, practice, practice under a controlled environment.
WOW!!! Thank you Harvey... I am a 67 y/o student pilot and I own a little Cherokee 140. Great debrief all this is so important to me!!! Keep up the good work
take note here you're already too old to be a student only a few more years and the chances of you making a simple mistake are HIGH and that's going to be costly in an aircraft , take up another hobby 67 TOO old don't get into flying if your older then 35 imho
@zackriden79 It's never too late, frat boy. I'm 76 just completed my first transatlantic while you're sittin in the nursing home watching QVS
@@steveurkel1487 its to late take note of all these crashes your too old dude
@@steveurkel1487 i am 42 no nursing home nice try only a matter of time at 76 before you fuck up something
A very sad end for sure Hoover. I appreciate how thorough you are with these debriefs.
Sad story. I am not a pilot but I must say this controller is very calm and easy to understand. I watch many of these videos and most controllers are not easy to understand their directions! RIP❤
I've dealt with Raleigh approach many times in the past, and they're always great to deal with. Terrible this crash happened but approach was absolutely spot on here. I've flown this approach quite a few times. Scary to think about how it could all go wrong right at the last second.
He sounds exhausted….
It’s heartbreaking.
They are my age and married the same amount of time.
I can’t imagine the sadness with this event.
Thanks Hoover
More recently there have been so many cases of pilots unable to actually fly the airplane without an autopilot. A very disturbing trend
I had a whole long response on my thoughts to all of this but decided not to post it. I didn't think anyone would read it because of how long it was and I KNOW that some people have a hard time hearing the realities of what we do as pilots and would be incapable of handling a truly objective response. This was a great video. There are a few teachable moments in this accident that could certainly benefit some of the people who watch your videos. Anyone interested in what I think can certainly let me know. I'm nobody. I'm just another pilot who watches these videos because I lack the confidence and the knowledge on how to make my own. Thank for posting these videos, I've been a fan for a while and I appreciate what you do.
Controller was awesome! These folks are a pilots best friend and I have a lot of respect for them.
Thanks for explaining the "black hole effect", Hoover. I had never heard of this before.
That controller was a true professional.
Controller was a model of calm in the storm
❤❤❤❤❤
As retired police officers and only flew as passenger in uncles plane I feel every pilot should watch your videos. Very important to stay com and vigilant to your surroundings! Good stuff my friend
This is a heartbreaking scenario but very well done. One of your best done to date. You and Blancolirio are by far the best ones out there doing this
Dan Gryder.
@@lawwdogg1digr Dan does a very good job! Deserves to be recognized!
As a controller and also a pilot I love watching your videos. Always educational for me and helps with different ideas and plans dealing with my own emergency situations I run into with pilots.
As much as I love your videos. Hoover, I'm saddened by the loss of life due to little mistakes - and especially what's astounding is a lot of these pilots you discuss have thousands of hours experience more than I do. Either way, I appreciate the effort and that the lessons learned will help us avoid such mistakes.
I feel heavy grief for these people, just thinking about what they must be feeling in these situations. Very sad.
What a lovely controller. He clearly grasped what was going on and did his level best to be the third crew member Harvey needed. His tone is exactly what you'd want to hear if you were a stressed-out pilot.
Man that was head breaking for sure! Got through all the hardest parts only to be sucked into the black hole. Been into aviation for a long time and I’ve never heard of that black hole illusion. I learned something else new today’ thank Hoover!
Utter sadness. God rest their beautiful souls .
😢😢😢 One consolation: They obviously enjoyed life, and neither had to go through the sadness of living without the other.
Spent some time as a passenger on Beechcraft bonanza with a friend . Never a relaxing moment…. Constantly looking for a place for an emergency landing, dealing with radio traffic…. Visibility that come and goes … . Flying is a physical and mental test that requires above average intelligence , instincts and the ability to multitask and is not for the elderly or people with poor reflexes
One of the reasons I sold my airplane was because of bad weather. Sure, as a low time single engine pilot I could fly an IFR approach. But as one of my professional pilot friends told me- "if you aren't flying on instruments all the time to be proficient- and you don't have a co-pilot as a cross check- it's a lot more dangerous for you to fly single pilot IFR than any of us commercial guys flying faster jets." I sold my plane. I'm still alive.
It's not for all of us. I stopped flying for similar reasons - it just wasn't for me. Not in any way judging others, just noting that it's not for everyone despite how much fun and success we may have early on. It's these situations that told me that I wasn't cut out for it. God bless those that are - they have my utmost respect.
@@ourlifeinwyoming4654 I got my license at 17, logged about 110 hours and haven't flown since I was 22. The few tense situations I encountered made me fully appreciate what can happen, how quickly it can unfold and how little time there is to resolve it at 120+ mph. On the return of a VFR cross country from Ann Arbor, MI to Milwaukee, WI, I had to hug the coast of Lake Michigan because flying directly over the lake was not permitted in single engine aircraft. Flying past Chicago at around 2000 feet all visual references suddenly disappeared in fog. I had received clearance to fly over Meigs Field on the Chicago shoreline but with loss of visual orientation I began to think about the 1000+ foot buildings and how the water, sky and everything in between appeared identical. On board instruments got me past the fog but we had stayed a little too long in Milwaukee and I soon realized I was flying East into the approaching darkness. While my couple hours of hooded and night-fly training spared me and my two passengers in this case I can understand how these things work. When I hear about this incident and JFK Jr.'s accident decades ago, I can appreciate the situations they were in.
What is the mandatory retirement age for professional pilots? Something to consider.
@@ourlifeinwyoming4654 - A man has got to know his limitations. Good on you for knowing yours!
Hoover, you do a great job of telling these heart-breaking stories. Not a dull moment, and very thorough. It's also great to see the comments of pilots and to realize how much they are learning. All the best
this seems to happen all the time....people get in way over their heads and with tragic results...RIP to both souls
Yes. Because instrument training should be required for ALL Pilots. Until then, we will always have confused ppl in the sky without any ability to read their own instruments, flying themselves straight into the earth. Again, would you allow someone to drive your car if they didn’t know how to read the speedometer⁉️
I was just a few hours from taking my instrument check ride. Back then (early 90’s) the 172’s that I flew had steam gauges and no auto-pilot…and single pilot. The stress from flying in those conditions took all the joy out of flying. I never regretted not getting my instrument rating!
I'm not a pilot but love your videos. Keep up the good work.
RIP to the pilot and his wife. Truly heartbreaking. Thoughts and prayers with his family. Hoover, the work you are doing is much needed.🙏🏾
Heartbreaking. 52 yrs. together then gone in a flash.
I love this controller. He did everything he could, and I loved how he changed to his emergency tone and relaxed his communication, even though the pilot didn’t declare it. He sounds like he possibly has his instrument rating. He was professional and knew when to shift into “do everything you can to bring calm and assistance to the pilot.”
I was an Air Force Air Traffic Controller and private pilot with a lot of IFR experience flying with my dad from 11 years old. He was an ATP rated pilot and an FAA controller for 34 years with more assists and saves than can be counted. I was in several inflight emergencies with my dad and use to go to work with him as a kid, on mid shifts, and plug in with him all night. This controller reminds me of my dad on both sides of the radio. Great Job buddy. It hurts to lose one, but know you did everything you could. I’m proud of you. 🙏😔🫵 You we’re the angel on the radio.
Another thoughtful, helpful analysis, Hoover. Wishing everyone a Memorial Day filled with reflection and appreciation for those who served and have gone before us.
Another great pilot debrief, thanks for all that you do, sir.
So sorry about what happened. Stay strong and be safe. Been an avid fan for a long time and will continue to support your videos
Thank you for another excellent debrief. And congratulations on surpassing half a million subscribers! They are well deserved and with the quality of your work I have no doubt you’ll hit that million subs mark sooner rather than later. Wishing you and yours a great weekend.
I am always amazed how helpful ATC are with pilots in trouble especially when they are also dealing with commercial aircraft coming into the same airport.
Good analysis. ATC didn't really cover themselves with glory (I can comment as I am a retired ATC and vfr only pilot). It was fairly clear that the pilot was having real difficulty navigating, in fact he said so. The constant attempts to get him to fly different RNAV approaches to various waypoints really added to his stress and workload. It was a radar environment, the controller should have taken control giving radar vectors at an earlier stage to the final approach track and could have improvised a surveillance radar approach to a short final with advisory heights to fly, or better still radar vectors to an ILS equipped runway with radar monitoring. Sometimes you have to declare/assume an emergency even if the pilot doesn't.
Yes, doing that would have also reduced the ATC guy's workload - and you'd know about the importance of that.
Agreed. Harvey struggled with entering new approaches. So he couldn't handle any more changes that were overloading him. Despite of all his struggles, they worked productively as as team until the end when neither knew where he was. ATC should check his location / altitude instead of asking -- that was his last chance of survival.
As always, a very sensitive and comprehensive review. Thanks Hoover once again.
If you're having trouble figuring out what is wrong, go all the way back to the beginning. Early on, he said he was already set up for another approach (although he did reference it was an RNAV procedure). It could have been something as simple as an incorrect NAV Source. When a new approach is assigned, restart the approach checklist from the very beginning.
I am a relatively low hour pilot (mostly aerobatics in a Pitts but little nav and weather) and this video and analysis was very usefull and a great reminder for me on whats involved with long distance flying and getting there before nightfall. For me, that's what the pros do because recency is so important for those skills. Thanks.
I did a lot of single pilot IFR and one thing I kept in mind, and always repeated to my self, is fly the numbers...you are going to put the needles somewhere, so put them where they belong....it is a simple saying, that is easy to remember and to say to your self. I never had an autopilot in my a/c. The autopilot is good, but I was helping pilots get refreshed in approaches, they always wanted to just fly the autopilot, I would always make them turn it off or I would tell them, then pull the fuse. Basically, I made them hand fly. In my opinion, pilots get lazy or spoiled, and they would relax to the point that if something happens to the autopilot, then they are totally lost. Every pilot I trained liked this was pissed when I did it, but once we landed, they were ALL happy that I made them realize that an autopilot can go out at any time. FLY THE NUMBERS
Totally agree. In simming I use the autopilot a lot - even on approaches but I've learnt from people like Juan Browne and Hoover that it's vital to kill the autopilot (and usually get the nose down for air speed) when things get unstable. And from Ryan Farren I've certainly learnt the reason for "Flying the Numbers!" In Central PNG there is no other way but as you say it applies everywhere.
Autopilot is only as good as the information it is receiving.
It sounded from the video that he'd lost GPS navigation, so the autopilot didn't even know where it was.
I don't know if the man in this video had ILS or anything else installed, but practicing with alternate systems may have helped him in this case.
Great analysis, Hoover! Poor Harvey! Many pilots die because of overconfidence in their skills. My instructor taught me to treat every flight as if it were a checkride with an really grumpy and picky examiner looking for mistakes and failures. I think about my past mistakes, and those by other pilots and controllers. This taught me the importance of flight planning. I have a completely different flight planning process than other pilots. Before flying into a new airport, I always check a map to find the best place to make an emergency or off airport landing, or crash, off the end of each runway. I mark those places on a sectional I keep strapped to my leg. I study each airport on Google Earth before going there to get a feel for the airport, its surroundings and obstacles. Had Harvey done this, he would have been aware of the forest off the end of the runway. A large lake can have same effect.
Thank you for covering this. I experienced the black hole effect in my first marriage. The marriage ended up crashing as well.
I once mistakenly entered the blackhole, she wasn't happy with it...
I can relate.
Thank fuck I've employed the learn from others mistakes so See and Avoid principles from a young age.
Haha.
The 8 hours of B.S. at a bar ain't worth the 8 seconds.
-Rodney Dangerfield
I'm 39, female, and never married. No kids. I feel a little strange to not be married at my age. On one hand, I don't want to eventually be an old maid. But then I think of all the people I know who are either divorced or stuck in a miserable marriage, and then I don't feel so bad. I can't imagine what it'd be like living in the same house with someone I couldn't stand.