Max talks with John Fiscus of The Flight Academy to break down two Cirrus SR22 accidents that highlight the extremes of safety outcomes in general aviation: one a dramatic survival story, the other a heartbreaking tragedy.
- Always wear flotation gear before flying over large bodies of water.
- Be cautious of low-time airplanes—this Cirrus had only 75 hours in four years, raising concerns about engine reliability.
- Understand the “unwritten rule”: don’t fly beyond gliding distance over the Great Lakes, where hypothermia makes ditching survival unlikely.
- Unstable approaches with excessive speed and descent rates.
- Turbocharged engine management—if the mixture isn’t properly enriched, adding full power can cause the engine to stumble or quit.
- Rudder discipline—failure to apply right rudder is a leading cause of go-around crashes, often resulting in wreckage on the left side of the runway.
- Lack of practice—many pilots avoid go-arounds, leaving them unprepared for the demands of the maneuver.
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Airline pilots succeed not because they’re inherently better, but because they follow strict procedures. GA pilots should do the same.
- Go-Around Training: Every pilot should regularly practice stabilized go-arounds under realistic conditions.
- CAPS Awareness: The parachute system consistently saves lives when used promptly.
- Risk Assessment: Whether crossing lakes or approaching mountainous airports, risk should be mitigated through planning, equipment, and training.
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- Pilot inadvertently retracts landing gear when he meant to retract flaps
- Student hits fuel truck
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- Pilot focuses on open engine cover and too little on flying the airplane
- SR22 pilot runs out of fuel and pulls CAPS
- Pilot crashes while planning out his own runway
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