- Joined
- Jan 4, 2011
- Messages
- 2,590
- Reaction score
- 530
Today I was debating if I was to fly thru marginal weather to pick my daughter from College for spring break. A 4 hour round trip by car or an hour and half by plane.
The pressure was on. I get to the airport and waited for the weather to improve but it was just above marginal but it was forecast to improve.
So the decision was made I am flying. Now I am rushing to do the Preflight and something told me to slow down. I been flying for 19 years and I guess experience told me slow down.
I checked the fuel tanks, oil level etc and towards the end of my walk around something caught my eye.
Something blue, very minor spot, my aircraft is white so no blue in it. I took a second look and a light bulb went off, fuel leak.
After further examination the leak was from the fuel filter in the engine. Needless to say I drove.
The moral of this story is never compromise a good Preflight even if you under pressure.
I am not sure what could have happened if I was to have gone flying but it might had disasterous results.
The pressure was on. I get to the airport and waited for the weather to improve but it was just above marginal but it was forecast to improve.
So the decision was made I am flying. Now I am rushing to do the Preflight and something told me to slow down. I been flying for 19 years and I guess experience told me slow down.
I checked the fuel tanks, oil level etc and towards the end of my walk around something caught my eye.
Something blue, very minor spot, my aircraft is white so no blue in it. I took a second look and a light bulb went off, fuel leak.
After further examination the leak was from the fuel filter in the engine. Needless to say I drove.
The moral of this story is never compromise a good Preflight even if you under pressure.
I am not sure what could have happened if I was to have gone flying but it might had disasterous results.
