Ok, so I'm a cynic, but -
http://www.theledger.com/article/20090420/news/904205036
Airplane full of cameras and two 'dudes' on their way to Sun'n'Fun... as it's billed-- "Spring Break for Pilots"
From the timing on the video, I'm curious how they got in the situation.
Looking at Google Earth -- Departing from Rwy 11 at WinterHaven to the point of failure was probably 2 nm. Figure a 300 fpm climb at 60 kts and they likely weren't very high when they turned westbound over Havendale Blvd enroute to the Lake Parker arrival point .
http://www.faaproductionstudios.com...es Notam/2009 SUN N FUN NOTAM final color.pdf
Initial engine failure was at 0:37 into the video
First restart at 1:01 (24 seconds)-- in that time they descended to about 2-300 ft agl (based on trees that are 50-70 feet tall.)
So, at 1000 fpm that would be
an initial height of 600 ft or so agl. (if the descent rate was less then they were even lower to start and a 1000 fpm descent is steep, certainly building airspeed). Note they are over a congested area (buildings, homes, roads, many lakes and few open areas)...
FAR Part 91 states:
Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the following altitudes:
(a) Anywhere. An altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface.
(b) Over congested areas. Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open air assembly of persons, an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft.
Why would a flight instructor elect to turn over a congested area without a whole bunch of altitude? Sure, they'd just departed and it is pretty built-up around Winter Haven but why not get some altitude before turning over town since they needed to be at 1200' msl at Lake Parker (before you say it, "ATC told me to..." doesn't supercede good airmanship). Climbing out further would also have given them more options for landing.
Yes, the airspace is crowded and restrictive, but even at Special Events ATC usually gives a bunch of lee-way for a/c performance issues. If they were pressured to get 'on course' it won't look good on either side. If the pilot was cutting corners, well...
Reading the ensuing report from the FAA will be an enlightening experience -- luckily it didn't end with a ball of wreckage and an ambulance ride for someone.
"As a pilot and flight instructor, you are told to look for landing spots," Davis said. "Roads work great."
Rob
