No discussion would be complete without this gem.

MIA92FA051

The only time "focusing on your instrument" could be bad.

I seem to remember some doctor or surgeon or somebody who stalled on a base-final, and did the same thing years later. IIRC he killed several people... if I get some time I'll look it up, I'm fuzzy on the details. Couple people were teasing me about that at the FBO once.

One can see how it would happen though to students it is a potentially high-workload time.

OK that's the new #1 Nice...

Untitled Page

Tail number N304PA
May 10, 2004
Julian CA


"On May 10, 2004, about 2051, Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-44-180, N304PA, collided with mountainous terrain at Julian, California. The airplane was operated by Pan Am International Flight Academy under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Both private pilots were fatally injured and the airplane was destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight plan had been filed.............."

I had read about this accident a long time ago, I think this needs to be told to every pilot, specially a new instrument Pilot.

This accident is a vital lesson to be learnt on why NOT to accept every clearance from the ATC blindly..

The take home message is if you pull back on the stick too hard, it could kill you. ;)

I found the other report -- this guy ran out of fuel, killed his first wife, then does the worst instrument approach in the world and kills his son and second wife. Makes you wonder how many times he got away with this nonsense.

NTSB report details cause of Hatch plane crash | The Journal Gazette

CEN11FA417

Essential reading for any overly aggressive, inattentive, or arrogant pilot... we've all seen the type. Also have to consciously fight against any traits like that in ourselves in any flight, every flight.

Not to quibble in any way, as your post is spot on. That said...

:eek:

This is mind-bottling.

But, what a way to go! Doing the two things I love most in life. :cool: