The Falcon RV squadron out of PTC launched a 6+1 formation to KCUB to join EAA Chapter 242's solar eclipse party. This would be an exciting day--little did we know .
Nearing the halfway point I hear on our enroute frequency:
-"Threes got an engine failure".
Lead: "seriously?"
Reply: "Greese is engine out".
Being the +1 of this formation, I'm 1 mile in trail watching this all unfold.
N628GR had suffered a catastrophic case failure with engine seizure and was deadsticking from 7500ft into rural SC. We were flying above a scattered layer, so the entire flight disappeared quickly as they followed him down. The next few minutes were very tense.
Then the call comes up-- Down safe. Relief He had deadsticked onto a small county road surrounded by trees and rough fields--safely--not a scratch.
Now how do you help someone in an area you're not familiar with- a very smart young man in another plane used Foreflight and a map program to find the county road and call 911. When the call dropped, 911 replied with a text, he sent back the location via text. Help was on the way.
Before continuing to KCUB, I made one last pass and saw that two police cars and fire trucks were on the scene--He was in good hands. Meanwhile, one squadron member diverted to Augusta, picked up a rental car, retrieved our downed airman and passenger, and I stopped at KDNL on the way back to return all members to base before the day ended. Mission accomplished.
N628GR was transported via flatbed and now sits tied down at S19 unharmed except a severely cracked engine case.
Greese did a fabulous job! See photos on pg2.
Nearing the halfway point I hear on our enroute frequency:
-"Threes got an engine failure".
Lead: "seriously?"
Reply: "Greese is engine out".
Being the +1 of this formation, I'm 1 mile in trail watching this all unfold.
N628GR had suffered a catastrophic case failure with engine seizure and was deadsticking from 7500ft into rural SC. We were flying above a scattered layer, so the entire flight disappeared quickly as they followed him down. The next few minutes were very tense.
Then the call comes up-- Down safe. Relief He had deadsticked onto a small county road surrounded by trees and rough fields--safely--not a scratch.
Now how do you help someone in an area you're not familiar with- a very smart young man in another plane used Foreflight and a map program to find the county road and call 911. When the call dropped, 911 replied with a text, he sent back the location via text. Help was on the way.
Before continuing to KCUB, I made one last pass and saw that two police cars and fire trucks were on the scene--He was in good hands. Meanwhile, one squadron member diverted to Augusta, picked up a rental car, retrieved our downed airman and passenger, and I stopped at KDNL on the way back to return all members to base before the day ended. Mission accomplished.
N628GR was transported via flatbed and now sits tied down at S19 unharmed except a severely cracked engine case.
Greese did a fabulous job! See photos on pg2.
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