My First In Flight "Oh Crap"

[SJFedor]

So, I'm about 3 flights away from finishing my commercial SEL. Scheduled the plane for this evening w/ the IP to go up and work on my lazy eights and steep spirals. Got out and off, everything was peachy.

So, we're about 15-20nm from the field, and I notice there's this wierd sound coming from the overhead speaker. Like a squeal. No big at first, but it got worse, and I started to notice the cockpit lights were dimming...

So I continue to fly while the IP starts fiddling with the comm panel, thinking something is loose/going tango uniform. Something was, but it wasn't the comm panel.

Now, we're in the PA-28R. Those of you that don't know, the PA28R's ammeter is not like in our birds, with a charge and discharge side. It just has a charge side:

Now, with this aircraft, typically it's not far above 0 when it's working normally. When it's at 0, it doesnt even look like it's there. So, we check all the breakers w/ no faults, but reset the alternator field on the master. Once we hit the ALT side, the squeal goes away. Turn it back on, squeal comes back, but there's NO movement in the ammeter needle. Deal alternator.


So, by this time we've already turned around, dropped our gear w/ the power we have left (though the PA28R's gear dropps nicely on it's own anyway w/o power) and headed back. By the time we got there, our radios were too weak to bring up the higher intensity runway lights, our panel lights were gone, the ICS system was barely working, and our wing strobes were barely even firing. So, down we went, landed, and that was it.

At least we didn't continue flying. The sun was awfully low when we made it back...

[JC004]

I so had NOTHING to do with that.  I was here the whole time.

[mikeylikey]

I so had NOTHING to do with that.  I was here the whole time.

Fedor......he lies! 

Anyway.......you are an Awesome pilot.  Too bad you are stuck in TN!   

[SJFedor]

I so had NOTHING to do with that.  I was here the whole time.

Fedor......he lies! 

Anyway.......you are an Awesome pilot.  Too bad you are stuck in TN!   

Give it a few months. Hoping to relocate back to PA sometime soon. Now that the *ex* girlfriend is out of the way, I can head back.

[mikeylikey]

Give it a few months. Hoping to relocate back to PA sometime soon. Now that the *ex* girlfriend is out of the way, I can head back.

Colgan and I say "your welcome".   

Always happy to get a person sucked back into the "Great state of Independence". 

Since you have been away though......many things have changed.  We no longer use US currency, all Canadian, and we are only allowed to drink Rolling Rock beer.  The Governor has made it illegal to vote for anyone but Hillary Clinton, and Philadelphia is slowly starting to drift into New Jersey.  (Not sure how that happened). 

COLGAN......get the Steak and Cheese Hoagies warmed up, we are getting a deserter returned to us............... 

[_]

Dead alternator.

I had the same thing happen to me on my long cross country for my private pilot licence.  Luckily it happened not far from my destination.  Not a fun thing to have happen especially within in the Washington DC ADIZ where if you don't talk to atc they send helo's and fighters to come say hi with their loaded weapons.

As for the state beer of PA, Rolling Rock left Pa to move to Newark, NJ.  You guys need to switch to Yuengling.  It's made in Pa and isn't made with municipal water from Newark.  (If you've ever been through Newark you know why that's a bad thing, if not, watch the opening of the Sopranos and look at the shots of the gas refineries and chemical plants)

[SJFedor]

Give it a few months. Hoping to relocate back to PA sometime soon. Now that the *ex* girlfriend is out of the way, I can head back.

Colgan and I say "your welcome".   

Always happy to get a person sucked back into the "Great state of Independence". 

Since you have been away though......many things have changed.  We no longer use US currency, all Canadian, and we are only allowed to drink Rolling Rock beer.  The Governor has made it illegal to vote for anyone but Hillary Clinton, and Philadelphia is slowly starting to drift into New Jersey.  (Not sure how that happened). 

COLGAN......get the Steak and Cheese Hoagies warmed up, we are getting a deserter returned to us............... 

I was back there a few weeks ago for my birthday, didn't seem to change too much. Cept I don't remember the beverage distribution establishments down by Drexel and UPenn to be as much fun as they were when I was there.

Gas is also about 10-15 cents more expensive then it is down here.

And our planes aren't grounded 

[SJFedor]

Dead alternator.

I had the same thing happen to me on my long cross country for my private pilot licence.  Luckily it happened not far from my destination.  Not a fun thing to have happen especially within in the Washington DC ADIZ where if you don't talk to atc they send helo's and fighters to come say hi with their loaded weapons.

Oye...that's a bad way to start things when you're a new pilot. But your instructor should be shunned for making you do your XC through the DC ADIZ (unless you were departing/arriving there)

[_]

Dead alternator.

I had the same thing happen to me on my long cross country for my private pilot licence.  Luckily it happened not far from my destination.  Not a fun thing to have happen especially within in the Washington DC ADIZ where if you don't talk to atc they send helo's and fighters to come say hi with their loaded weapons.

Oye...that's a bad way to start things when you're a new pilot. But your instructor should be shunned for making you do your XC through the DC ADIZ (unless you were departing/arriving there)

I was returning to the airport I had left from which was in the ADIZ.  Luckily it happened right after I switched to UNICOM.  This was a couple years ago when they were sending armed F-16's and blackhawks after people and taking away licenses of anyone did anything that was the least bit different from what they expected you to do whether you screwed up or not.  Being a newbie and having that bouncing around in my head made it more of a big deal than it should have been.

[SJFedor]

Dead alternator.

I had the same thing happen to me on my long cross country for my private pilot licence.  Luckily it happened not far from my destination.  Not a fun thing to have happen especially within in the Washington DC ADIZ where if you don't talk to atc they send helo's and fighters to come say hi with their loaded weapons.

Oye...that's a bad way to start things when you're a new pilot. But your instructor should be shunned for making you do your XC through the DC ADIZ (unless you were departing/arriving there)

I was returning to the airport I had left from which was in the ADIZ.  Luckily it happened right after I switched to UNICOM.  This was a couple years ago when they were sending armed F-16's and blackhawks after people and taking away licenses of anyone did anything that was the least bit different from what they expected you to do whether you screwed up or not.  Being a newbie and having that bouncing around in my head made it more of a big deal than it should have been.

Oh I won't lie, I'd be freaking out. That ADIZ scares me.

[CadetProgramGuy]

And our planes aren't grounded 

Ouch.....

[Duke Dillio]

Score:

Fedor 10, PAWG -227

Did you need a new flight suit after that one Fedor?  You weren't "under the hood" were you?

I'll be happy to stay away from PA WG for a little while.  They wear orange hats and scare me....

Although, cheese steak hoagies and alcoholic beverages sound very appealing.  Did I say alcoholic?  I meant, um, carbonated, yeah, that's it.  Carbonated.... oh and bubbly...

[flynd94]

Don't want to sound like a "Debbie Downer" but, what is the big deal.  Your electrical system went tango uniform.  No great feat of airmanship was required.

Let's see here, you state you were VMC at sunset.  Turn off all electrical equipment not needed, heck turn off the master (conserve what juice you have).  Get close to the airport you are landing at, turn on master, make a radio call stating intentions, drop the gear, confirm "3 green", put he plane away and, finally head out for a beer.  I stopped counting after the first 10 electrical system failures I dealt with. 

Maybe I should start posting every time we have a system malfunction on the E-Jet.

JMHO take at it is but, what you had is a non-event

[CASH172]

If this is how safe GA is supposed to be, an electrical fire after dozens of flight hours, then I'm scared of how I'm getting my training. 

[Pylon]

If this is how safe GA is supposed to be, an electrical fire after dozens of flight hours, then I'm scared of how I'm getting my training. 

Fire?  Who said anything about an electrical fire?   

[Frenchie]

I'm not that familiar with the PA28.  It doesn't have a low voltage light?

My plane has an engine monitor.  I lost an alternator once and the JPI light alerted me immediately.  It also told me how much voltage I had, so I could turn off various electrical systems and see what effect that had on the voltage.  I had to fly through some light weather for about 30 minutes until I got to the nearest airport.

Many GPS systems whether they are panel or portable will monitor voltage (if hooked to ship's power).  Some even have an alerting feature if the voltage gets too low.  That's a very nice feature to have.

[CASH172]

If this is how safe GA is supposed to be, an electrical fire after dozens of flight hours, then I'm scared of how I'm getting my training. 

Fire?  Who said anything about an electrical fire?   

Opps, I meant lack of electricity.  I think I wrote that after seeing an electrical fire that day in a parking lot.

[flyerthom]

Give it a few months. Hoping to relocate back to PA sometime soon. Now that the *ex* girlfriend is out of the way, I can head back.

Colgan and I say "your welcome".   

Always happy to get a person sucked back into the "Great state of Independence". 

Since you have been away though......many things have changed.  We no longer use US currency, all Canadian, and we are only allowed to drink Rolling Rock beer.  The Governor has made it illegal to vote for anyone but Hillary Clinton, and Philadelphia is slowly starting to drift into New Jersey.  (Not sure how that happened). 

COLGAN......get the Steak and Cheese Hoagies warmed up, we are getting a deserter returned to us............... 

I am so not coming back until Yuengling is returned to its rightful throne! VIVA LA LAGER!
Word has it the Poconos are New York's sixth Borough...

[SJFedor]

Don't want to sound like a "Debbie Downer" but, what is the big deal.  Your electrical system went tango uniform.  No great feat of airmanship was required.

It was my first little bit of excitement in my flying career. Thought it'd be interesting to share.

I'm not that familiar with the PA28.  It doesn't have a low voltage light?

My plane has an engine monitor.  I lost an alternator once and the JPI light alerted me immediately.  It also told me how much voltage I had, so I could turn off various electrical systems and see what effect that had on the voltage.  I had to fly through some light weather for about 30 minutes until I got to the nearest airport.

Many GPS systems whether they are panel or portable will monitor voltage (if hooked to ship's power).  Some even have an alerting feature if the voltage gets too low.  That's a very nice feature to have.

No low voltage light. Unless you consider the panel lights slowly dimming by themselves a "low voltage light".

[FW]

I'm not that familiar with the PA28.  It doesn't have a low voltage light?

They don't; at least not on pre '86 models.  The alternator on an Arrow I was flying stopped working a few years back.  The first sign of trouble was the radio display starting to "flicker".   I did what was necessary and returned home.  Luckily it was a beautiful VFR day.  

I was flying a brand new Cessna home from the factory awhile back (in 97).  Had a voltage spike and the alternator switch went off.  Turned it back on and smoke started coming from the panel.    It's amazing what a Cessna 172R can do at 9000 feet when you got to get to an airport real fast  .

[ricecakecm]

Lessee....my "Oh Crap" list:

1.  Complete engine failure in a C-172RG.
2.  Multiple Alternator failures in various airplanes.
3.  Working with a student in IMC, supposed to be flying an NDB approach to the north, I look over and we're headed east.
4.  Manifold Pressure Gauge failure in a 182
5.  DG failure in a 182 in IMC
6.  GS failure in the same 182 in IMC
7.  A couple of aborted takeoffs
8.  De-Ice boot failure in Icing conditions (sequencing valve failed)
9.  Front door popped open after takeoff and going into IMC in a Baron.  Only way to shut it is to land.
10.  Nose baggage door popped open after takeoff in a Seneca.
11.  Various interesting aircraft attitudes with a student at the controls.
12.  Almost hot start of a PT-6.

Thats in my first 3000 hours of flying.  Do this long enough boys and girls, stuff happens. 

[mikeylikey]

^ Now it gets interesting.  My very first flight working toward my license at the Community College, the plane failed to take off and went over the end of the runway into a trailer park.  CAP assisted in crash site security after that one. 

My fourth flight, we landed and hit a long patch of ice, turned sideways and smacked into the side of a hangar.  I took a few weeks off from class for that one.

After my solo, the plane took off with another student, and landed in a cornfield on her return.  CAP once again assisted with crash site security in that one.  Fortunately she was not hurt, but did have to go to the hospital. 

Graduating day, they called me the most unlucky student.  I was a little offended, as most of the problems were actually Instructor issues.  It was an insteresting time though!   

[SJFedor]

^ Now it gets interesting.  My very first flight working toward my license at the Community College, the plane failed to take off and went over the end of the runway into a trailer park.  CAP assisted in crash site security after that one. 

My fourth flight, we landed and hit a long patch of ice, turned sideways and smacked into the side of a hangar.  I took a few weeks off from class for that one.

After my solo, the plane took off with another student, and landed in a cornfield on her return.  CAP once again assisted with crash site security in that one.  Fortunately she was not hurt, but did have to go to the hospital. 

Graduating day, they called me the most unlucky student.  I was a little offended, as most of the problems were actually Instructor issues.  It was an insteresting time though!   

You are forever and always banned from any aircraft I'm operating.

[mikeylikey]

You are forever and always banned from any aircraft I'm operating.

[SJFedor]

You are forever and always banned from any aircraft I'm operating.

Sorry dude. You're like a gremlin. 

[mikeylikey]

You are forever and always banned from any aircraft I'm operating.

Sorry dude. You're like a gremlin. 

Ya.....but riding with me will be the most thrilling flight of your life!  Plus who doesn't LOVE hospital food?   

[SJFedor]

You are forever and always banned from any aircraft I'm operating.

Sorry dude. You're like a gremlin. 

Ya.....but riding with me will be the most thrilling flight of your life!  Plus who doesn't LOVE hospital food?   

Hospital food is ok. Tube feeding solution isn't so grand though 

[JC004]

You are forever and always banned from any aircraft I'm operating.

If you do that, he will be on the ground with one of these.  Don't be flying over it.

[SJFedor]

You are forever and always banned from any aircraft I'm operating.

If you do that, he will be on the ground with one of these.  Don't be flying over it.

I'd be more worried if he had one of these:

[Duke Dillio]

^That one isn't so bad.....

Ask the guys about these bad boys:



You military pilots can stop shaking now.....

[MIKE]

Drifting.

[Gunner C]

^That one isn't so bad.....

Ask the guys about these bad boys:



You military pilots can stop shaking now.....

ZSU-23/4:  Where the "little bullet" vs "the big sky" theory gets tested. [/drift]

A couple of experiences:

When I was a student pilot, I was in the pattern for runway 17.  I was turing (left) final off my base leg. I was pretty happy about what was happening: altitude, airspeed, alignment - everything was just the way it should have been.  I put the last "notch" of flaps down when I noticed that there was a Piper Pawnee on SHORT final on the reciprocal.  Knowing from physics that two particles could not occupy the same space at the same time, I put the spurs to it and took it around.  Never heard his UNICOM call, he didn't hear mine (something about the O-F-F switch).

On the second, I was on downwind.  I was at the right altitude and speed.  I pushed the flap switch down and watched the indicator in the wing root hit 10 deg when I let it back up.  I quickly went through my pre-landing checks when my scan crossed my airspeed indicator which had just gone through 60 knots.  I gave the Cessna 150 all the power I could and put the nose down for airspeed (and life).  I quickly looked around for the culprit and noticed that my flaps were all the way down (40 deg) and the switch was stuck down.  I reconfigured the aircraft and made a normal landing.  I was going to do more touch-and-go's but I needed a change of shorts. 

I'll leave my three helo incidents in one day for another thread. 

GC

[Pace]

1. Alternator failure at night. (thankfully it happened on the ground so all it caused was an aborted takeoff)
2. Attitude indicator failure in IMC.
3. Near engine failure in IMC.
4. Several close calls with low time (former) students.
5. Almost got into a flat spin giving a CFI trainee their spin endorsement. (that's what I get for trying to spin from an accelerated stall)
6. Numerous near engine failures in a C172RG that had/has a bad accelerator pump with students who don't get the concept of smooth application of the throttle.

My only two "oh crap" moments before I became an instructor that I can remember (besides several stiff crosswind landings) were on solo cross-country flights.

The first was to BFE, Arkansas.  It was my first solo cross-country, and I was trying to cancel flight following.  Center informed me they didn't have any info on me even though half an hour earlier they had confirmed radar contact.  No biggie in retrospect, but it scared the crap out of me at the time that the person supposed to be covering my six had "dropped" me.

The second one involved an over-zealous airport manager with too much free time and a handheld aviation transceiver.  I made a position report and announced a 5 mile final.  Someone on the ground came back spouting off instructions using phraseology I had only ever heard used by a controller.  I don't think I've ever again whipped out a sectional as fast as I did that day looking to make sure I hadn't just busted someone's airspace.  Much to my relief, it was only a non-towered Class E with an airport manager who thought he would make himself a temporary tower.

I also had a FSDO POI pull my mixture on my initial CFI practical test nowhere near an airfield at no more than 2000' AGL.  If that wasn't enough, he pitched the plane up to stop the propeller from windmilling.  It's a good thing it restarted since the only thing below us was a river and a corn field.  God Bless the feds...

[flyerthom]

So my student pilot seat creaser was in PA. Anyone is familiar with Braden's Air park / Easton airport with its hump in the middle of 18-36. I took off on a student solo in a PA-28 151 Cadet (tapered wings rather than the Hershey bar.) Got out over the Delaware River that the tach started "jumping around." Being a clueless newbie, I thought the engine was about to fail. So back to Braden's I go.

Now Braden's Air park is small airport. The runway is 1956 x 50 feet with the 18 end a bit higher then the 36 end with a drop off in the center. At the end of 18 was a closed grass runway. At the end of 36 is a sharp drop off then a road. Fortunately for (cluless rookie me)  18 was active.

So back to the tale. The tach is jumping and I am worried that the engine will quit. I was way to green and scared to listen to the engine and hear how it was running. So I get back and start making radio calls in the pattern and asking for an instructor. No answer! So I just do my best and set up the landing. The tach is having a fit so I know (i.e think) there is no go around. I ended up floating the landing and touched down on that darn hump! I ended up rolling off the asphalt and across that grass strip! I saw a fence coming up fast and braked hard on one brake causing the aircraft to turn around that wheel (in a taildragger it would have been a ground loop) As it was no harm to me or the plane. Turned out to be a malfunctioning gauge.

[Duke Dillio]

My only in flight oh crap was when I was a cadet on an o-ride.  I was in the back seat.  The pilot had pillows sitting on the front and back seats.  He then stalled the aircraft and turned the nose down.  I watched the pillow start to float off of the seat.  He then leveled off and the pillow fell back down again.  While I later found out that this was a planned manuever, it didn't save my underwear.....

[SJFedor]

So my student pilot seat creaser was in PA. Anyone is familiar with Braden's Air park / Easton airport with its hump in the middle of 18-36. I took off on a student solo in a PA-28 151 Cadet (tapered wings rather than the Hershey bar.) Got out over the Delaware River that the tach started "jumping around." Being a clueless newbie, I thought the engine was about to fail. So back to Braden's I go.

Now Braden's Air park is small airport. The runway is 1956 x 50 feet with the 18 end a bit higher then the 36 end with a drop off in the center. At the end of 18 was a closed grass runway. At the end of 36 is a sharp drop off then a road. Fortunately for (cluless rookie me)  18 was active.

So back to the tale. The tach is jumping and I am worried that the engine will quit. I was way to green and scared to listen to the engine and hear how it was running. So I get back and start making radio calls in the pattern and asking for an instructor. No answer! So I just do my best and set up the landing. The tach is having a fit so I know (i.e think) there is no go around. I ended up floating the landing and touched down on that darn hump! I ended up rolling off the asphalt and across that grass strip! I saw a fence coming up fast and braked hard on one brake causing the aircraft to turn around that wheel (in a taildragger it would have been a ground loop) As it was no harm to me or the plane. Turned out to be a malfunctioning gauge.

Been there a few times. The only airport that surpasses it, in my experience, is Kutztown on the other side of the Allentown Class C. North/south runway with power lines at one end, a quarry at the other, and its got a big hump in the middle that makes no sense.

[mikeylikey]

^ Man.....hitting the lines would be embarrassing enough, but ending up in the quarry........yikes.  That would be an eye opener.

A few years back in Pittsburgh the County Airport lost 12 planes into the trailer park that immediately sits on the end of the end of the runway.  This all happened in a 4 year period.  It was later discovered that the ice crew decided that they did not need to do the entire runway in the winter, only every other day, and only when it dropped below 23 degrees.  I am sure dyslexia on the freezing temp played a factor too. 

Man......my CAP Cadet days were spent guarding Cessnas lying inside double wide trailers like they belonged there. 

[SJFedor]

^ Man.....hitting the lines would be embarrassing enough, but ending up in the quarry........yikes.  That would be an eye opener.

A few years back in Pittsburgh the County Airport lost 12 planes into the trailer park that immediately sits on the end of the end of the runway.  This all happened in a 4 year period.  It was later discovered that the ice crew decided that they did not need to do the entire runway in the winter, only every other day, and only when it dropped below 23 degrees.  I am sure dyslexia on the freezing temp played a factor too. 

Man......my CAP Cadet days were spent guarding Cessnas lying inside double wide trailers like they belonged there. 

Someone did a few years ago if I remember correctly. Glider tow plane w/ glider in tow sunk into the glider n hit one of the excavation tools/crames they had in there. Glider cut loose, plane crashed n burned. I remember cuz it wasn't long after I got my PPASEL rating, and my mother called me like crazy making sure I wasn't flying up there that day.

[mikeylikey]

^ Your like "No Mom, but I am tomorrow".  That set her at ease I am sure. 

[RiverAux]

Riding as an Observer when we had an electrical system failure and had to get back to the airport and land in very dim conditions just before dark and couldn't use the radio to key on the landing lights.  The airport was a small one and had to fly under the controlled space of a major airport nearby.  Mostly worried about being out of comm in this situation.   

[SJFedor]

^ Your like "No Mom, but I am tomorrow".  That set her at ease I am sure. 

Actually, I said "Yeah, I've been here all day. But man, is my body sore after that last flight..."

[ricecakecm]

Lessee....my "Oh Crap" list:

1.  Complete engine failure in a C-172RG.
2.  Multiple Alternator failures in various airplanes.
3.  Working with a student in IMC, supposed to be flying an NDB approach to the north, I look over and we're headed east.
4.  Manifold Pressure Gauge failure in a 182
5.  DG failure in a 182 in IMC
6.  GS failure in the same 182 in IMC
7.  A couple of aborted takeoffs
8.  De-Ice boot failure in Icing conditions (sequencing valve failed)
9.  Front door popped open after takeoff and going into IMC in a Baron.  Only way to shut it is to land.
10.  Nose baggage door popped open after takeoff in a Seneca.
11.  Various interesting aircraft attitudes with a student at the controls.
12.  Almost hot start of a PT-6.

Thats in my first 3000 hours of flying.  Do this long enough boys and girls, stuff happens. 

*bump*

Add one more to my list there....smoke in the cockpit in a King Air at FL 200.  That's a real "oh crap", especially when you can't figure out the source of the smoke.  Turns out it was the blower motor in the enviornmental system.  Best way to describe it is sitting in a very smokey bar, but sucking on O2 with a very uncomfortable mask clamped to your face and looking at things through smoke goggles, while trying to talk to ATC.  Lots of fun, but I don't recommend anybody try it for real.   

[PHall]

*bump*

Add one more to my list there....smoke in the cockpit in a King Air at FL 200.  That's a real "oh crap", especially when you can't figure out the source of the smoke.  Turns out it was the blower motor in the enviornmental system.  Best way to describe it is sitting in a very smokey bar, but sucking on O2 with a very uncomfortable mask clamped to your face and looking at things through smoke goggles, while trying to talk to ATC.  Lots of fun, but I don't recommend anybody try it for real.   

Do it over the ocean where you have at least a 2 hour flight before you can land.
Oh yeah, throw in a 6 person Medical Crew and 21 passengers.

Makes for a whole new definition of the word "SUCK".

And the fuel burn at 10,000 feet is way more then FL 280.

(C-141C half way between Hawaii and California with a sick Air Cycle Machine in the left Air Conditioning System.)

[NIN]

Or my equivalent of landing your 172 in a mall parking lot....

(parachute into a dinky trailer park almost 2 weeks ago... trailers, trees, cars, mailboxes, powerlines... Yeah, it was tight. Managed not to hit anything but the asphalt...)

[PHall]

Or my equivalent of landing your 172 in a mall parking lot....

(parachute into a dinky trailer park almost 2 weeks ago... trailers, trees, cars, mailboxes, powerlines... Yeah, it was tight. Managed not to hit anything but the asphalt...)

And we won't mention that you did this to yourself via a little navigational error.

[ricecakecm]

*bump*

Add one more to my list there....smoke in the cockpit in a King Air at FL 200.  That's a real "oh crap", especially when you can't figure out the source of the smoke.  Turns out it was the blower motor in the enviornmental system.  Best way to describe it is sitting in a very smokey bar, but sucking on O2 with a very uncomfortable mask clamped to your face and looking at things through smoke goggles, while trying to talk to ATC.  Lots of fun, but I don't recommend anybody try it for real.   

Do it over the ocean where you have at least a 2 hour flight before you can land.
Oh yeah, throw in a 6 person Medical Crew and 21 passengers.

Makes for a whole new definition of the word "SUCK".

And the fuel burn at 10,000 feet is way more then FL 280.

(C-141C half way between Hawaii and California with a sick Air Cycle Machine in the left Air Conditioning System.)

Well, you win, Phil.  I was only about 50 miles from the airport I diverted into and I was by myself in the airplane.

[WT]

I guess my vacuum failure in a C-182 at 8,000 ft in IMC on the way to Florida doesn't count...  Yawn...  And it was a new Airwolf wet pump!

[SJFedor]

I guess my vacuum failure in a C-182 at 8,000 ft in IMC on the way to Florida doesn't count...  Yawn...  And it was a new Airwolf wet pump!

Bah. Just flick on the standby! 

[desertengineer1]

Feder, this could have been a LOT worse.  That symptom is common with a DC short.  The rapid loss of battery capacity could have been either a terminal disconnect or (really bad) a high-current short near the battery.  Bad juju.

Here's one example of such an incident.  You folks recognize this guy?  You should.

http://www.purcellregister.com/article-display.asp?idnum=15

The story, if you're lucky enough to hear him tell it, is a perfect example of knowing emergency procedures and training.  He had about 5 minutes from the first electrical indication to when the flames overtook the airplane on the highway shoulder.

[mikeylikey]

^ Yikes.