Originally Posted by
FlyJSH
I just hope no one in the media finds you two "experts."
First, let me say I have no 402 time, but have a good deal of 414 and 421 time. I believe they share many of the same systems.
First off, this site isn't the Media. I thought on a site with pro's I could merely state that I wasn't in agreement with the statements that the article had made, and something is fishy. Secondly I have not made any specific claims anyways other than I disagree. Maybe you should re-read it. I never put a defined "This is what happened" statement there. F172driver even made a more specific statement than I ever did!!!
I flew 2000hrs in C310's, so I'm familiar with the valves and bell-cranks etc.. I also was trained in a C421(c-model) at my old operator. I had never heard of fuel transfering between tanks on the ramp on any of these models. I will call my sources and see if they've had any experience with that. I also did some right-seat time in the C421B that had the tip tanks. I'm not saying that this isn't possible either, I'm just saying I have never been made aware of that issue before.
Sorry if I'm having a hard time believing that this airplane shoud've dead-sticked into Naples with that much fuel in one of the tanks. In the article it mentioned that they were able to fly the aircraft after the fact, as they were able to replicate the issue on the ground prior to that. So I have a lot of questions about this specific incident and what would allow it to happen, so Shoot Me! I'll save those for another post.
As a side-note, I'm extremely cautious about talking about anything aviation with the Media. I'm sure you've heard about Marcus Shrenker(The Meridian Pilot who bailed out). We serviced that plane, I flew it personally a few times, etc... ABC Nightline sent out a crew, and my coworker and myself talked with them. My coworker was the one they interviewed, and I went through any of the technical aspects they were asking about. We were very adament about preserving the image of GA and that it wasn't really anything to do with the aircraft.
So please, unless you know me, and know where I'm coming from, refrain from any flaming until you know where I'm coming from.
Thank you, and have a good day.
Erik