Tapte et nydelig fly, men berget livet - Flygeren forteller - AVweb

Top Letters and Comments, June 1, 2018   AVWEB STAFF     Duo Bails Out Of TBM Avenger I wanted to clarify some apparent misinformation on what I have heard and read: (1) The .50 caliber machine guns in the wings are FORWARD facing. One in each wing. They were simulated, not real. The gun receivers with ammunition feedways, barrels and barrel jackets were modeled from the real specs, but the internal parts were designed with a complex computerized oxygen and propane mixing firing system. No rounds, no bullets. Only air pressure and noise. The gun firing to the rear is of the same type, but is mounted in a revolving turret located in the aft position behind the middle seat. (2) In the news interview, I had indicated that I was “on the instruments.”  My reference was to my focus was on the “power indication dials,” mainly special attention being paid to the oil temperature, oil and fuel pressures, and cylinder head temperature gauges.  When in more vulnerable positions, most pilots pay double attention to those instruments in order to get as early a warning as possible if there might be any trouble developing. The instruments were all in the green when the engine malfunctioned. (3) This airplane was re-registered and re-certified in the “LIMITED” category after we took possession in the United States. One of the limitations was no night flights and no IFR, whether the pilot was rated or not. I am a instrument pilot with heavy practical experience in extreme conditions from my expeditions to the high Arctic and other remote places. Lastly, it was devastating to lose this aircraft. Of course, now after this event, I have gone over and over and over in my mind if there was anything else I could have done to save this ship. This was sudden and catastrophic, and we had immediately lost most of our thrust, even before pulling the throttle back to try to bring down the smoke and fire. It would’ve been suicide to try to land in the trees. Most are 100- to 150-foot-high Ponderosa Pines closely spaced on rugged these mountain slopes.  I did consider a right base to final to a possible landing spot in a wet marsh / swamp. With my DeHavilland Beaver, I may not have given it a second thought, with those high wings and large floats under me. I had practiced extensively and had actually successfully executed it once for the wet tundra of the high arctic before. But with heavy increasing smoke coming into the cockpit, and knowing that these wings are low, gear up, there was a good chance of a cartwheel. I had done my “what if’s” already, way ahead of time before taking my first flight in this airplane. I had played it out -- where I would land -- and -- where I would NOT land, if I ever had a problem. So I had already preemptively ruled this out. Putting that all aside, if I had decided to try it in this particular marsh, if I came in short, or came in long, it would be over immediately. There would have been no room for error. And if I may have risked it myself, there was no way that I was not going to risk the life of my friend and crewmate. That said, the loss of this airplane is devastating not only for myself, but for the world. We had put so much work and passion into her. There was and is a huge connection. She was a flying museum, a marvel to look at.  A privilege to fly. I always felt like it was all a privilege, so this is especially tough. But now reflecting back on what is really important -- I am alive. My friend is alive.  -We are not maimed. We still now both get to see our kids finish growing up, getting married, and all the other great things we all hope for. I'm glad I didn't gamble that away. -        Ron Carlson