On Jun 10, 1:03*pm, brian whatcott wrote:
Orval Fairbairn wrote:
I got this from a friend:

My sources said that a Washington Post reporter was being carried and
admitted to accidentally pushing the brakes in order to leverage himself
up to see better during the landing. He didn't realize he was pushing
rudders or brakes. It's a good lesson for all of us who routinely carry
non-pilots in tailwheel aircraft to brief them on where not to have
their feet & hands during critical phases of flight.

It looked to me as if they were doing a wheel landing with the brakes
locked. It flipped as soon as the wheels touched the ground.

I wonder if the Washington Post is going to pick up the repair tab?

This is such a plausible cause for the immediate landing upset,
and particularly so *if it's self admitted. Pity about that....

Brian W

There's a more general lesson here, and not just for pax in tail
draggers. We MUST brief our passengers! Not only do they have to be
told what not to grab and touch, but for their own comfort something
like this would be good. "Pretty soon after we take off we're going to
be in clouds. Don't worry about that. I'll be telling you when we are
going to be making turns so it won't be a surprise. It may get bumpy
too, that's to be expected. You'll be hearing us on the radio too, and
don't be surprised if you don't understand what's being said." and so
on.

I don't do it enough, but many first time passengers here a litany
like this from me after "cleared for takeoff".

"OK, we're in line with the runway, and . . .the throttle is forward

RPMs look good

Engine gauges look good,

We're almost going fast enough to fly

OK, one last look at the engine gauges, they're OK,

I'm pulling back a little bit, and . . .up we go.

Everything looks good, it's time to retract the landing gear

(and this is very important)

"Now I''m going to reduce power a little bit so the engine noise will
change. . ."

I really think saying out loud what you're going to do might make for
safer piloting even if you're flying alone.