• Welcome to the new Commander Owners Group Forums. Please bear with us as the kinks are worked out and things are tweaked. If you have any questions or issues with the new platform, please post them here.

My chance at "The impossible turn"

marcelo67

marcelo67

New member
Pittstown, NJ
Aircraft Year
1973
Aircraft Type
112/A
Reg Number
N1075J
Serial Number
75
I just wanted to share this with you all.
Since my CFI drilled into me from day one that "Side steeping" after departure is good practice, I never stopped doing it. Today at 47N after departing 25 and around 600 agl I turned 270. At 720 agl 75J decided to shake and then stop! I can tell you this for sure, Commanders are not bad gliders too. Because I was 20 degrees off center line it made for the easiest turn and glide back to runway 7. I was even high for that approach.
I am a firm believer that side stepping does work when you need it the most.....real close to the ground.
I can also give much thanks to the BIG guy.
Now it's time for a new power plant.
Cheers
Marcelo.
 
Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

Wow... thanks for the post! Good info.. any clue why the fan quit?
 
Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

Glad to hear you made it safely back to terra firma, and can use the aircraft again :)
 
Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

My mechnic wants to investigate as to why she stopped, but dead is dead. No use in spending any more coin.

Getting boxed to Penn Yann next week.
 
Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

Marcelo, congratulations! Clear to me you kept your cool.
 
Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

Good example of "Heads up" flying
 
Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

Congratulations Marcelo,
This is a very good lesson
 
Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

Glad it worked out. Good to hear it.
 
Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

Glad you made it back OK!! Must have skipped several heart beats!!
 
Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

Great outcome Marcelo. Let us know what Penn Yan reports once they tear into it.
 
Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

Just out of curiosity, what was the total time on the engine? I realize they can stop at any time, just wondering . . glad you are safe!
 
Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

N07---Lincoln Park, NJ -- Right:cool:
 
Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

according to my file, N1075J has the orig. 1973 engine w/approx. 1350TT.
depending on what all had been removed and replaced since new, could be lots of boogie-men looming 39 yrs. later. ??

Judi
 
Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

Judi,
She had 1700 when I bought her back in June of 2011. I put another 175 hrs on her.
I was due to send her out to O/H this December.

Engine is on its way to Penn Yan will keep you posted.

Marcelo
 
Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

it did very well then, considering. good time to also hv your eng. mount assy. insp., and recertified.


Judi
 
Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

Marcelo- Congratulations! You have joined the club of those who have had their 'engine' (in my case prop) failure; and now you can be 'old' as well as 'bold'. Yes, training and self confidence (not over confidence) and a good Commander will let you 'Live to fly Another Day'!

While the engine is out- take the 'opportunity' to check all those hard to access components: cables, hydraulic hose, brake lines, motor mounts, misc fittings, etc.

You, as I (20 yrs ago), were blessed to 'walk away' and now 're-engage'! Keep us posted!
 
Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

Congratulations on making back to the runway safely, Great Job!

Also, thank you for the reminder about side-stepping. This was mentioned to me in flight training, but not really drilled and it's really something I had forgotten about. I think it's a great safety precaution and something I'll practice from now on.
 
Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

New mounts and a Prop O/H at the same time too.Am I missing anything else (besides the money)lol.

Marcelo
 
Well of course, give the front end a thorough going over. If the strut and/or actuator haven't been serviced in a long time, consider an overhaul. Closely inspect, or just replace, the actuator bolts (prone to being bent or cracked if actuator not properly adjusted). Inspect nose limit switches and harnesses for condition. RAN. If you haven't converted to the solid trunion pivot pin, do it now. Inspect and RAN the front end bushings (trunion, scissors, drag link, etc.) If you haven't installed the firewall reinforcement brackets, do them w/ the engine and mount removed. Plan on replacing the alternator belt. All kinds of tasks that are so much easier and less shop time consuming while the front end is apart. Most expenses are relatively minor and should provide for a safer and trouble free firewall forward, at least for awhile.

Neglected to mention, if you elect to have the motor mount frame inspected /recerted (strongly recommended), use the guys in GA. They built the originals and have the original fixtures. Very reasonable turnaround time as well.
 
Last edited:
Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

Re: My chance at "The impossible turn".

So glad you made it out of harm's way. Great reminder about the "side-step."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top