automan1223
03-12-2007, 04:50 PM
I am in the process of building my hanger and I was framing out for some concrete. A local student pilot that flys a fixed wing from our grass strip was going to take a quick flight late in the day. Even though the clocks got kicked fwd a low overcast made it darker earlier.
I was busy but I try and make it a practice not to b.s with new pilots for fear of distracting them. I had an odd feeling as he taxied by and watched him rush his take off checks, mags, etc. When he took off at rotation he pulled back sharply and I saw a trail of white smoke come from the right wing. I thought a wing tank was venting but as the plane accelerated towards me the mist and trail grew. I waved to get the pilots attention. The aircraft flew past and was climbing faster still. The vapor trail reached contrail proportions. I was without a radio, and my cell only had the local millitary tower on it which I quickly called and relayed my concerns.
As luck would have it the pilot noticed my flailing about and landed a few miles up at the other airport. After seeing me he watched his fuel gauge and witnessed his wing tank go to 0. He switched fuel as all the fuel was sucked from the rt wing tank in less than 6 miles. He came back and landed a short while later much to my relief.
He admitted he missed the fuel cap on the one tank and was in a hurry due to light, and time constraints.
Fortunately the trip was short and only cost a wing tanks worth of fuel. I hugged him I was glad he was ok.
ADM at its best.
Jonathan
I was busy but I try and make it a practice not to b.s with new pilots for fear of distracting them. I had an odd feeling as he taxied by and watched him rush his take off checks, mags, etc. When he took off at rotation he pulled back sharply and I saw a trail of white smoke come from the right wing. I thought a wing tank was venting but as the plane accelerated towards me the mist and trail grew. I waved to get the pilots attention. The aircraft flew past and was climbing faster still. The vapor trail reached contrail proportions. I was without a radio, and my cell only had the local millitary tower on it which I quickly called and relayed my concerns.
As luck would have it the pilot noticed my flailing about and landed a few miles up at the other airport. After seeing me he watched his fuel gauge and witnessed his wing tank go to 0. He switched fuel as all the fuel was sucked from the rt wing tank in less than 6 miles. He came back and landed a short while later much to my relief.
He admitted he missed the fuel cap on the one tank and was in a hurry due to light, and time constraints.
Fortunately the trip was short and only cost a wing tanks worth of fuel. I hugged him I was glad he was ok.
ADM at its best.
Jonathan