drgwentzel
Pre-takeoff checklist
Flyers,
I am only writing this so others might learn from my mistake.
At least a year ago I joined a pilot’s group called Pilot’s ‘n Paws. I never took a flight as time always conspired against me or another pilot beat me to the punch. Then one day in late July 2012 I received an email asking me to do a flight from my home airport in NJ to the Richmond, Virginia and back. We were to rescue some puppies and the mother who were scheduled to be put down. I quickly accepted the flight request.
The day of the trip was an IFR day for sure. Mostly due to low clouds; most of them cantankerous looking cumulous clouds from 1200 feet to about 9000 feet with the occasional thunderstorm blundering about.
After a couple mechanical issues were ironed out, I flew to Richmond, VA from Lumberton, NJ with a pilot friend of mine, Rich. I took out the rear seat to make room for 7 puppies and their momma, Ellie; they were all to be in crates except the mother. After landing in Chesterfield County airport we were introduced to the family in distress. My favorite puppy was named Mocha. She was the sweetest animal of the bunch and we took an immediate liking to each other. She gave the sweetest hugs. I told everyone that I would most likely take her in.
It was really hot in general and especially in the plane. Rich and some of the airport crew were loading the puppies as I was paying for the fuel. I felt a lot of pressure to get in the air as fast as possible so the dogs would be comfortable. Two were in the rear most cargo area in a small crate while the rest were in a larger crate where the rear seat used to be. Momma was laying down just behind the front seats.
We were on an IFR flight plan and after take-off at about 500 feet my clearance stated that I had to make a left turn to 290 degrees, which I dutifully did. After I leveled the wings I heard a sound I didn’t recognize. I asked Rich to look in the back and see what it was. To my shock he told me that the rear cargo door was OPEN!! I immediately inquired where Mocha was! He said with concern, "In that rear crate!"
It immediately occurred to me that I just made a left turn to comply with my clearance! This airport had left traffic and I didn’t want to make any more left turns for fear of the crate sliding out. (yea I know, just make a perfect ball-in-the-center turn and no worries...screw that!) We began a right turn to go back to the runway. Rich was amazingly calm and kept repeating, "Everything's fine, just take your time and land the plane."
I asked Rich if he could see the crate. Tentatively he said, “Yea.”, but it was said in a manner that was not convincing.
I made the most careful right hand pattern I ever made and followed with a smooth touch down. As we were taxiing to the ramp I again asked Rich if he could see the crate. He had to admit that he never could see the crate…he just *said* he did to keep me calm, which was obviously the right thing to do. I thought I was going to die…I wanted to die!
He got out and walked around the tail and peered into the cargo area. He didn’t say a word! He just slowly and stoically closed the cargo door and latched it. I flashed back to my first meeting with Mocha and felt her front paws on either side of my neck as she laid her little head on my left shoulder. I felt her licking my face gently and without words clearly avowed, "I promise I will be your best friend for the rest of my life if you just let me go where ever you go." This innocent animal clearly trusted me and placed her faith and confidence in a fallible and imperfect human to protect her and keep her safe. Now she was betrayed by my stupidity and ineptitude.
I opened my door and yelled, “Are the dogs ok?!!” It took, it seemed, forever...then he turned toward me and proclaimed, “They’re fine. They're just sittin’ in the crate looking at me like, ‘Is there somethin’ the matter?’” and then he began to laugh. It was the most welcome and beautiful laugh I have ever witnessed. I immediately laughed too, put my head back and smiled toward heaven.
I never felt such relief in my whole life! I would never have forgiven myself if I lived to be a thousand. Fate had given me a second chance and unseated me from being the most despicable person on the planet.
Because it was so hot, all I could think about was how uncomfortable the puppies might get and I did *not* do my walk-around inspection! That was sooo stupid! I will never rush like that again. Also, I should have been there to over-see the loading of the airplane to completion.
When we landed at my home base at N14 there were about 15 people waiting for my flight to arrive. They cheered as we pulled up and continued clapping as we disembarked the lucky puppies. They had no idea how close their cheers could've turned to jeers followed by a stoning if fate were not the hunter.
The humans and animals played and frolicked on the grass, getting to know one another, and one by one the dogs went with their foster parents awaiting their forever homes. I was so glad to be a part of something so rewarding.
In the end, I didn’t take Mocha because she deserved a more competent guardian; I might foster her for a few weeks though and see how it goes.
Please learn from my experience, and not your own in this regard.
Gene
I am only writing this so others might learn from my mistake.
At least a year ago I joined a pilot’s group called Pilot’s ‘n Paws. I never took a flight as time always conspired against me or another pilot beat me to the punch. Then one day in late July 2012 I received an email asking me to do a flight from my home airport in NJ to the Richmond, Virginia and back. We were to rescue some puppies and the mother who were scheduled to be put down. I quickly accepted the flight request.
The day of the trip was an IFR day for sure. Mostly due to low clouds; most of them cantankerous looking cumulous clouds from 1200 feet to about 9000 feet with the occasional thunderstorm blundering about.
After a couple mechanical issues were ironed out, I flew to Richmond, VA from Lumberton, NJ with a pilot friend of mine, Rich. I took out the rear seat to make room for 7 puppies and their momma, Ellie; they were all to be in crates except the mother. After landing in Chesterfield County airport we were introduced to the family in distress. My favorite puppy was named Mocha. She was the sweetest animal of the bunch and we took an immediate liking to each other. She gave the sweetest hugs. I told everyone that I would most likely take her in.
It was really hot in general and especially in the plane. Rich and some of the airport crew were loading the puppies as I was paying for the fuel. I felt a lot of pressure to get in the air as fast as possible so the dogs would be comfortable. Two were in the rear most cargo area in a small crate while the rest were in a larger crate where the rear seat used to be. Momma was laying down just behind the front seats.
We were on an IFR flight plan and after take-off at about 500 feet my clearance stated that I had to make a left turn to 290 degrees, which I dutifully did. After I leveled the wings I heard a sound I didn’t recognize. I asked Rich to look in the back and see what it was. To my shock he told me that the rear cargo door was OPEN!! I immediately inquired where Mocha was! He said with concern, "In that rear crate!"
It immediately occurred to me that I just made a left turn to comply with my clearance! This airport had left traffic and I didn’t want to make any more left turns for fear of the crate sliding out. (yea I know, just make a perfect ball-in-the-center turn and no worries...screw that!) We began a right turn to go back to the runway. Rich was amazingly calm and kept repeating, "Everything's fine, just take your time and land the plane."
I asked Rich if he could see the crate. Tentatively he said, “Yea.”, but it was said in a manner that was not convincing.
I made the most careful right hand pattern I ever made and followed with a smooth touch down. As we were taxiing to the ramp I again asked Rich if he could see the crate. He had to admit that he never could see the crate…he just *said* he did to keep me calm, which was obviously the right thing to do. I thought I was going to die…I wanted to die!
He got out and walked around the tail and peered into the cargo area. He didn’t say a word! He just slowly and stoically closed the cargo door and latched it. I flashed back to my first meeting with Mocha and felt her front paws on either side of my neck as she laid her little head on my left shoulder. I felt her licking my face gently and without words clearly avowed, "I promise I will be your best friend for the rest of my life if you just let me go where ever you go." This innocent animal clearly trusted me and placed her faith and confidence in a fallible and imperfect human to protect her and keep her safe. Now she was betrayed by my stupidity and ineptitude.
I opened my door and yelled, “Are the dogs ok?!!” It took, it seemed, forever...then he turned toward me and proclaimed, “They’re fine. They're just sittin’ in the crate looking at me like, ‘Is there somethin’ the matter?’” and then he began to laugh. It was the most welcome and beautiful laugh I have ever witnessed. I immediately laughed too, put my head back and smiled toward heaven.
I never felt such relief in my whole life! I would never have forgiven myself if I lived to be a thousand. Fate had given me a second chance and unseated me from being the most despicable person on the planet.
Because it was so hot, all I could think about was how uncomfortable the puppies might get and I did *not* do my walk-around inspection! That was sooo stupid! I will never rush like that again. Also, I should have been there to over-see the loading of the airplane to completion.
When we landed at my home base at N14 there were about 15 people waiting for my flight to arrive. They cheered as we pulled up and continued clapping as we disembarked the lucky puppies. They had no idea how close their cheers could've turned to jeers followed by a stoning if fate were not the hunter.
The humans and animals played and frolicked on the grass, getting to know one another, and one by one the dogs went with their foster parents awaiting their forever homes. I was so glad to be a part of something so rewarding.
In the end, I didn’t take Mocha because she deserved a more competent guardian; I might foster her for a few weeks though and see how it goes.
Please learn from my experience, and not your own in this regard.
Gene
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