On 2007-07-06, john smith wrote:
AirVenture is 16 days away. Don't nobody push the weather, personal or
mechanical problems.

These sort of things, especially when it happens to those who are
experienced, is a good reminder not to feel invulnerable because of
experience. Just a few weeks ago, I was first on the scene after an
extremely experienced (and current) test pilot stall/spun into the
ground in an 'easy to fly' sport plane. Fortunately he (and the
aircraft's owner, in the back seat) survived, although after breaking
just about every bone in his body and wearing the engine on his lap.

What makes a highly experienced test pilot fail to recognise the onset
of a stall, and then spin it in? What makes a highly experienced pilot
forget that a significant wind over even a fairly small hill causes
significant rotor and downdrafts? I don't know - I just know that he
made those mistakes, and therefore, despite my own experience, I need to
stay forever vigilant and check myself whenever I'm feeling
invulnerable.

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