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Hi All,
It is very hard to write this because I lost a plane I was very attached to and enjoyed more than I can describe. I built that plane over three years and ate slept and breathed it. As hard as it is I feel I owe it to the group, many of who I know and talk with, to describe the events leading to my engine-out.
In the initial set-up and prior to first flight the engine monitor was never set-up. I did that myself later and the fuel gauges were not properly calibrated. For that reason I NEVER flew more than 2.5-3 hours without topping both tanks and not flying greater than one hour unless I could see gas in the tank. That was an indication of half fuel. I had fueled up earlier in the week and logged 2.5 hours which I had entered in my log book Friday and prior to flying Sunday morning knew (in my mind) I had 1.5 hour fuel on board for a less than 30 minute flight where I intended to top-off. I selected the right tank to fly out on and about 20 minutes into my flight and ten miles out reported my position a minute or so later the engine quit and I selected left tank, it ran for a few moments and quit again. Even in my glide down I never thought I was out of gas. But I was. I thought it over and over later and those 2.5 hours were flying around 3000 feet where my burn is 22 GPH average vs. 15 GPH up high. I totally miscalculated from a false sense of security. And had burned 50 gallons. Not enough left for 8 more miles. Totally my fault and I accept full responsibility. However, I will not accept any criticism as I was always flew carefully and said that this would never happen to me. I flew conservatively and really watched my burns. It can happen to others when you don't think everything out and let your guard down. I am paying for this with the loss of a dream and that should be enough.
The things I did right was to identify a dead engine early, pull the prop and get it into a 120 KIAS glide. I identified a spot and when I realized it was rising above in my view I chose another. That one stayed fixed and I was sure I'd make it. I flew the line and resisted temptation to pull up. And coming over the many ravines and oak groves I kept wanting to pull up, but I said out loud "120" and kept flying the line. The last moments I flew over the tops of a grove of oaks dropped down to begin a shallow climb up the hill where I landed and flew it between two oak trees and dropped again to clear a power line then slowly added back pressure to slow the rate of decent so I could get a soft touch down and not drop it in. At no point did I ever think dropping the wheels would be a good idea, and in hindsight I would advise any Lancair pilot to keep the wheels up unless you have a runway underneath you. It'll save your energy and reduce the amount of damage.
I owe my life to Josh Brungardt and all the training I did. I knew after 12 hours with him and all the power pulling he did along with his "land it" commands I had a good feel for the plane. I think everyone flying these planes should be prepared for an engine out and not afraid of one. I NEVER thought I'd ever have one, but always knew I'd handle it OK. And I did.
The good news is I got out without a scratch or bruise. My plane has some minor damage and will easily be repaired, but I don't have it in me to do it. My wife is beside herself and I must honor her feelings and get away from high performance aircraft and let the plane go. I am distraught beyond words. This plane meant so much to me and I will miss it. I will fly again, but later when it's right for both of us. I also feel I let this community of Lancair guys down with such an inexcusable mistake and for that I am sorry. I appreciate all the kind words and messages I have received. A lot I can not read now nor will I be reading future posts. I felt I owed you all an explination, but I'm not looking for advice on what I could have done last Saturday. You can only go forward and that's what I intend to do. I really enjoyed being part of this group and wish you blue skies and full tanks.
Most sincerely,
Don Barnes
As Found In the Field.JPG
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