I flew with Dale in the P-51 Little Horse pre buy. I remember being a bit nervous about flying in an old P-51 that had been sitting for a long time. I called a fellow pilot in ND and posed my thoughts to him. He told me Snort is the best there is and was sure he didn’t want to die that day so I’d be fine. Dale seemed to take forever on the preflight in the hot Florida sun. We flew the pre buy and it’s one of the best flying memories in my 35 years of flying. Dale really put the plane through its paces then let me fly it. Back on the ground he asked if I brought my log book so he could enter 1/2 hour of dual in a P-51 with Dale Snodgrass. Of course I didn’t bring my log book. Godspeed Dale, I will never forget you and that wonderful time we spent together. Thanks for the report Juan.
I don't blame you for being nervous....I don't let anyone else in the cockpit for a post- annual check flight on my airplane (because I'm human) let alone an aircraft that hasn't been in service a long time.😔
Thank you for sharing that special flying experience with Mr. Snodgrass. I enrolled my son into flight school at age 11. This past weekend, he had his first solo since he just turned 16. Although I am not a pilot, I, constantly, stress the importance of following the safety rules in aviation with him. It only takes once, no matter how long one has been flying. We have seen this video and are saddened by what happened. We’ve learned from this also. From everything that we’ve learned about Mr. Snodgrass, he seemed to be an absolute legend and great guy! What a tragedy and loss. His contribution to aviation is unparalleled! May God bless him, his family and friends. Thank you sir.
When I was 9 or 10 years old, and my uncle, a pilot, arranged for me take a ride in an old Stearman 75. He could see I was getting nervous, so he said, "Hey kiddo, the pilot doesn't want to die either." That simple comment made me feel 100% better and I'll never forget my first time in the air.
This is textbook definition of a tragedy. The most experienced among us is still... only human. Thanks Juan for your great coverage. RIP Mr. Snodgrass.
“Aviation in itself is not inherently dangerous. But to an even greater degree than the sea, it is terribly unforgiving of any carelessness, incapacity or neglect.” My Dad (ex RAAF pilot) gave me a framed copy of this quote when I first went solo back in 1993. I still have it mounted on the wall of my study to remind me every time I look at it.
@@seaskimmer9071 Umm no that’s just flat out wrong. I just did a sort by Newest First on the the comments on this video and my comment is well over 100 comments before yours! Let me know the best way to contact you and I’ll be glad to share a pic of the framed quote which has a photo of me in the C152 after my first solo and my Dad flying a Tiger Moth. Next time you want to accuse someone of plagiarism get your facts straight! Aren't you an absolute flog of the highest order.
The more experienced you are the more likely you are to get complacent because you lose the healthy degree of fear you started out with. Plus, you tend to tell yourself "I'm just that good. I don't have to ________"
A huge safety advocate in my circle was killed after misrigging his Cub elevator during a reskin and restoration project. Went to pick the nose up... And he was pulling back. And when he went to lower the nose: it raised it higher. Hammerhead stall, when he pulled to recover from the dive, it lowered the nose further. He didn't stand a chance. Huge huge safety advocate and mentor of mine. That one hurt badly. And was a stark reminder of if I ever returned to GA to use care to the highest degree. I hope I always honor that while soaring and not let my emotions or situation let me get distracted.
I have made mistakes, but got lucky enough to escape them with my life. These breakdowns encourage me to look closer, pay more attention, and ensure I am working the flight at a proper pace. Every detail counts. RIP Snort. In your honor, I will take more time on each and every pre-flight.
This is the correct attitude. For some people (perhaps many depending on the context), being lucky can lead to further laxity and mistakes. I know I’ve been guilty of this. The one-time short cut becomes a bad habit.
Don't pay 'more' attention, Sir. Just pay attention. More means that you miss something. Gotta check anything. 99% is not enough. 1% risk is one out of 100 flights. Happy landings.
Such an angle... so much time.. its just hard to empathize when the community is trying so hard.. maybe safety isnt possible. Maybe flying just isnt safe.
Same reason I stopped riding my motorcycle. You can go YEARS doing everything right, then let your concentration lapse for just an instant one day and....poof.
@@harveywallbanger3123 Interesting thought. Struggling with that a bit. Always loved driving my bike but it is not only yourself potentially making an error. The trafic around causes so much additional risk. Nevertheless your comment helps. Thank you.
I teach scuba diving, and the stats for fatalities shows two groups of divers most at risk of a fatality. The very low time diver, who may have been certified years ago, but does not dive frequently. The other is the very high time diver, who may at times be complacent, skipping over vital pre-dive checks. Flying is very much like diving in this regard, and I suspect that fatalities also fall into those two categories. This incident should be used as a learning lesson, in the hopes that it will sink in and reduce future fatalities.
I learned SCUBA from my dad in Hawaii. He was freshly certified and anal about checklists. I learned well. I don't dive. Turns out that I have severe case of submechanophobia. No diving for me. I was fine in water I could see clearly in (like Hanauma Bay), but like a harbor or under a ship - F*CK NO.
@@TechGorilla1987 had no idea that was a thing. At least you know your limit. Some should never fly but do. Each time putting lives at risk because they are way out of their element.
@@kari53 I owned a boat at one time. I figured out that I could not be in the water near the boat. I once had to change my prop while standing in 4 feet of water. It was all I could do not to freak the heck OUT. I LOVE water and the beach and swimming, but when I think of something like swimming under or around a ship or if a large structure appears from the deep below me, I really get anxious. I watched a video of a guy inspecting a HUGE propeller in murky, harbor water and after reading the comments, I found that term and realized that that has been my issue since 1980ish. I could water ski and tube in the river too, but if I was stationary and something touched my foot, I would have likely had a heart attack.
I am one of those divers who gets wet infrequently, usually only diving during the 2 months I spend in Costa Rica each year. For that reason, I only go out with a professional dive tour company where there is an experienced, local dive master leading the group.
Missing both the control lock removal and the "free and correct" check has killed many pilots and passengers. It was pretty clear that's what caused this accident from the first video, and the ATC recording. A tragic reminder that if this kind of error can happen to someone like Snort, it can happen to any of us.
Yep! It's all part of the pre-flight checklist. This video in particular will serve a a good reminder to *ALWAYS* use the checklist - even if I think I've got it memorized.
I worked for a company where a subsidiary was developing a business jet, but all development stopped after an accident. Work had been performed on the landing gear, which necessitated disconnection of the aileron control cables. Had the pilots done a "free and *correct*" check, it would have been just another day, but the cross-connected cables made it end very badly.
Complacency is one of the biggest killers in all sorts of fields. It creeps up on the most experienced person and without warning will strike them down.
Indeed it is. I use to work at a place called International Jets at KGAD. We specialized in maintenance and modification of L-39s for private owners. We had a guy from North Carolina that had one and had been flying it for a number of years. He actually had a total of over 40 years of flying experience. He had the plane at our facility for an autopilot installation. We did this and my assistant flew with our owner on the test flight earlier in the day and all was well. That evening, the weather got bad and we encouraged the owner to stay the night and even offered to pay for a hotel room for him, but he insisted that he had to get home that evening. He took off about 6:20pm and my assistant (I was actually out of town that day) told me that once he got airborne and put the gear up, by the time the gear was up and stowed, the aircraft was no longer visible. Anyone I have talked to that has L-39 experience said they would have never taken off in those conditions. He apparently contacted Birmingham once airborne and they instructed him to come around to a heading of around 040. Well, the OEM horizon in an L-39 is a Russian piece and it works opposite of its American counterpart in that the "ground" in the instrument doesn't rotate. The aircraft symbol rotates. So he's using this Russian instrument to bank to the left and come around from 240 to about 040 (I forget what the actual requested heading was) and apparently even this 40 year veteran pilot was confused by this difference and, flying in an environment that he shouldn't have (no other L-39 pilot would have) because he was in a hurry, as he banked around to the left in the zero visibility, he apparently became disoriented and rolled the jet completely over and nosed into the ground about a mile from the runway. I'm guessing he never even saw it coming cuz he never tried to initiate an ejection (that particular jet had hot seats). Anyway, all that to just reiterate your point that even a tiny moment of complacency with the most experienced pilot can lead to disaster. I actually had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Snodgrass at one of our fly-ins back around 2009. One of the nicest, most genuine guys you could ever want to meet.
What struck me during the read-through of the accident report: 1. Requesting an intersection takeoff (hurry) 2. Calling ground for a takeoff clearance (hurry) 3. The short time between the taxi clearance and the takeoff roll (hurry) Three yellow flags in quick succession. I hope I'd be savvy enough to notice and take a break to wind my watch.
Thanks for this one Juan. I learned this lesson as a junior officer when my XO a highly decorated Vietnam vet and Navy test pilot flew into the water at night. It doesn’t matter how great a pilot you are everyone is capable of making dumb mistakes. Unfortunately a dumb mistake can kill you in aviation.
It's why no matter how long I am in my career (not high stakes like flying, but IT) or playing flight sims, I always default to a checklist when I can. It's just too easy to miss a simple thing, especially with ADHD making things that much more annoying.
@Marc You remind me of an interesting story I recently read related to Apollo 17 that’s coming up on its 50 year anniversary. A few weeks before launch, the commander Gene Cernan crashed a training helicopter into the water near Houston and was almost killed. It turned out there was nothing wrong with the chopper and it was a simple case of vertigo. Luckily unhurt, Cernan obviously completed the Apollo 17 flight and famously became “the last man on the moon”. Jim McDivitt, another legendary Gemini and Apollo astronaut was so incensed that Cernan was not washed out (pun intended), McDivitt resigned from NASA over the incident. So given this lapse in judgement from upper NASA management, it’s not too hard to understand how the later Challenger and Columbia disasters were allowed to eventually happen.
Way back when I was just out of high school and was preparing for my summer job at United States Steel, the company first put me through a 40 hour safety training course. One special warning that we got was that if we ever got "too comfortable" working in the mill, we would very likely suffer a serious injury and possibly get killed. I always remembered that admonition. A few years later I was walking across the access bridge after my shift, I realized that I had reached that "too comfortable" attitude towards the job; after having had a couple close calls. I tossed my hard hat into a RR car, then let the company I was quitting. I got a job running a main frame computer. When I started pilot training I took that warning from safety trainer even more seriously. Always keep that uncomfortable edge and stay alive.
Working at a nuclear plant I've heard the statement "Familiarity breeds complacency". Every day there is a reminder that we need to be aware of hazards, even if we've been around them 100 times before.
The same applies to aircraft mechanics - when I was in the Air Force working on F-15s, I ALWAYS got the Maintenance manual and reviewed the Procedures for the specific job no matter how many times I did that job .. I have done that for 37 years, even on jobs that I've perfomed hundreds of times .. it only takes a few moments to review and double check a pre-flight checklist and it only takes a few moments to run your flight controls through their full range of motion before you ever start taxiing ..
'Considering the history of 'Snort': Snort' flew the F-14 Tomcat right at the edge of the envelope frequently doing 9 - 10G turns in air shows with huge vapor clouds just 50 feet over the runway or slow speed, high alpha pirouette turns at only 100 knots and zero airspeed in the compressor stall prone TF-030 engines (In the F-14A version). Of course, there is the famous picture of him doing knife edge pass in the F-14 just by the deck with the full top view of the Tomcat visible perpendicular to the carrier deck. He also had a compressor stall doing a 10G rolling pull (barrel roll) over Baghdad while deploying chaff/flares while dodging a SAM missile in his F-14A Tomcat. His F-14 also departed control flight while he did a 10G rolling pull at near supersonic speeds with a load out. He was able to survive SAM fire, regain control of his F-14A and also restarted both engines and climbed out with full zone 5 afterburners lighting up the sky at night. So hard to believe someone who went through so much and always had the survival skills and intelligence to make it out alive, lost his life on something so small and minor mistake. R.I.P Dale 'Snort' Snodgrass.
Amazing Stories 10gs in F-14 Enormous Body Pressure Mental Capabilities is Beyond Human Ability has anyone else Pushed a F-14 past its Manufactured Spec Limits. Dale was Special Breed Pilot could tell you what those Limits are and how to achieve that in F-14 with Help of his RIO Dis Engaging Fuses. Lol One Of Stories Dale said sometimes you have to Laugh Memories of Person through Somber Moment. A Pilot that can Relit Both Pratt Engines After Stalling them on F-14 is one of a kind. What an Amazing Career he had in USN as Aviator/Fighter Pilot and Fly Worlds Best Interceptor-Fighter-Attack Plane F-14 Tomcat
Oh my. Such a experienced pilot. Well I'm going to tell you it happens. I had this exact same thing happen to me year's ago flying a Cessna ag truck. The lock differs slightly in that it mounts to the dash. Really busy ag flying time, taxied out with a load of chemical and pushed the power up. At a certain speed went to push the stick forward to get the tail up and no movement. Quickly looked down and saw that the lock was engaged. Was able to use my left hand and unlock it continuing my mission. It can happen to anyone. Don't get in a hurry flying. I was lucky.
The control lock on the Citation XL is great locks all the ailerons ,elevators, rudder and throttles ....you can't start it let alone taxi unless the control lock is off.
@@viperdriver82 Yikes! - that’s scarey! I’m near the Akron-Fulton and Akron-Canton airports. I see/hear lots of biz jets every day. I’m always thinking “I hope these pilots are properly trained”!🤨
Many years ago I applied for Navy AOCS. During the application process all applicants were required to watch the infamous film "Pressure Point". In one segment a uniform inspection is held and one candidates low quarters are found to have dried grass on them. The Marine DI gets in the candidates face and starts yelling "Attention to detail! Attention to detail.." Yes, attention to detail matters...a lot. Here overlooking one thing was fatal. Also, many years ago, my father survived a go around mishap in an aircraft much like Snort's. Afterwards he put up a picture that stated this: "Aviation, in and of itself, is not inherently dangerous. But it is terribly unforgiving of any incapacity, neglect, or error..."
I went to school (University of Minnesota) with Dale. On a business trip a few years later, I was shaving getting ready to for an early meeting and heard on the TV "Here are scenes from the new movie just released-'Top Gun'..." "And here, with us, is this years real Navy's Top Gun, Lt. Commander Dale Snodgrass!" "DALE!!!" I explained from the hotel bathroom! (One does not forget a name like Dale Snodgrass). Dale and I lost touch after college, so I was quite surprised to hear his name and his accomplishment. So, I saw this posting just now on RU-vid with the title "NTSB Docket and Final Report Dale 'Snort' Snodgrass" I was stunned! I searched for the video, and when I watched the first few seconds, it occurred to me that I had watched the accident video last year...and I had NO idea I was watching the last moments of my college friend's life. My deep and sincere condolences to Dale's family
I’m here in New Zealand and feeling very sad about Dale’s death for the simple reason so many have spoken so sincerely about him as a pilot and as a decent guy…and I watch Juan comment on a range of things…air accidents, dams, biking…because it is excellent reporting…and like you, saw this one as I remember the accident being reported by him…and it feels sad all over again. I do feel for his wife, family and friends …seeing it replayed must be heart wrenching. Pleased you knew him…sounds like a person who always left an impression with people. 🇳🇿🇳🇿🐑🐑
Juan, thanks for the update! Dale was a legend among legends! His contribution to aviation and specifically Naval Fighter Weapons tactics and implementation of the targeting pod on the F-14 saved that fighter from extinction for another 10 years will never be forgotten. His death although tragic, reminds all of us of how a moment of complacency can kill the best among you. RIP Snort. We still miss you. We will always miss you and your skill as a pilot will always live on.
Being a seasoned pilot is a double edged sword. It can make you extremely meticulous, or extremely complacent. Snort, unfortunately, on that day fell into the latter category
To me it’s like watching your oil presssure, or making sure both mags are working. You rotate your stick. I’m not a pilot but I know enough about flying and aircraft. I’m the guy that took your pins, looked down at the lock, watched you rotate the stick. Y’a Just can’t forget preflight. A pilot such as Dale with so many takeoffs just does not forget. There had to be a mental block. Isn’t he the one that put the lock in place? I’m very saddened that he has passed….
Having a career in high voltage operations we followed many procedures and check list like operational instructions. It was always important to not become complacent and become almost robotic in these checks . Neverly every operation error or incident was the result of deviating from check llist instructions , in one instance I checked off the removal of grounding equipment but didn't actually remove the equipment. The error caused extensive damage to a very expensive transformer and a big shock to my career . Familiarly breeds contempt ...
And the thing is that as more often a check is done on a short frequence the more you build up routines. One has not to be aware to read the checklist correctly but to NOT FALL INTO ROUTINE. As a former skydiver this was my personal prefered life ensurance. It worked. I never checked a thing twice but correct on first time and as if it is the first time I am checking it. Just a kind of installed role play.
Every time I think of this accident I get a heavy heart. So tragic. I’m sure he would want all us aviators to learn from this and stick to the checklist and do our best to fight complacency.
It’s amazing to me how quickly one small moment of in attention to a small, simple task such as this can cause a tragedy like this to a pilot like that. What a shame . What a loss.
As an engineer, I have a few questions. 1) Why is the lock not more more obvious and intrusive? 2) Why can the plane fly at all with the lock in place?
Dale Snodgrass, Snort was THE consummate naval aviator - retired and extremally Emeritus. To die as he has is massively heartbreaking for the entire professional and American military aviators who knew of him and his living legend BECAUSE he embodied, was exemplary of "Navy Flight", that gold standard of best pilots, (personality and humor too!) that has emerged into something unique in its 75 year history by default because maritime aviation demands it 24/7/365. "Where do we find such men?" (The Bridges at Tiko-Ri") That he was flying here, in his state-of-the-art trophy plane, so alone here, as we so often find in such scenarios; after having legendary, unlimited Navy military support and redundancy all his life, GA demands are DIFFERENT and his destination and intent was to take possession, finally, on probably one of he and his so deserving family's first permanent homes, high up in American mountains, a smalltown, landlocked isolation, . . . fit reward for living a lifetime of the high intensity "right stuff" since an early age. So sadly, his last flight was as much as that very last/first step into his golden years. Like everyone on this website here, I will celebrate and mourn our great aviator as he so richly deserved for the rest of my life.
I think it is significant that the pilot also forget to change frequencies. Perhaps something was affecting his mental acuity? IMO-that is two "rookie mistakes" very unusual for such a seasoned pilot.
@@maurice7413 Did you read the rest of that paragraph (bottom of the page @ 14:02)? She stated that she and her husband frequently used sarcasm when talking to each other, that she remembered the overheard comment, that there was no disagreement, and that the person who reported the conversation did not know them very well.
@@rayg.2431 @Maurice Yes, but after reading her earlier FB posts (since deleted) I believe it is entirely possible she upset him. She put him down frequently and described a big fight where she woke up and decided she didn't like this person anymore, and he felt the same. Said she called him The Great One sarcastically - meaning she thought he was anything but. He was losing his faculties- she said he had trouble putting his socks on. We'll never know exactly why he decided to skip his normal lengthy preflight inspection - perhaps since it had just undergone annual maintenance and had been hangared he didn't expect the gust lock to be engaged - but I cannot rule out that he was upset by a cutting remark she made.
@Ray G. Yes that’s what she said and is probably the truth. The other possibility is that they really were arguing, he was distracted, and she is deeply guilty and covering up the fact. We’ll never know for sure.
This is a stark reminder that carelessness and neglect will get any of us. If an aviator of that caliber and experience can make this error, any of us can. May God comfort his family, and may knowledge of this accident cause the rest of us to slow down, focus, and follow the checklists.
Trust me they are not as great as they think they are, yes elephant in the room can't say that but.... I've known a few of them with their arrogance. GA aircraft are so called "Easy to Fly" for anyone right?
If you’re going to lock flight controls on an aircraft, why not lock them such that a plane cannot become airborne? With flight surfaces restricted, once you’re airborne, you’re in an especially bad spot.
That's what I am thinking. Cut the ignition out as long as the lock bar is not in its stowed position. A simple switch mounted on the floor could do that. With a checklist security is vritually achieved. But with a cut-out switch it is physically ensured.
My Skyhawk actually does this - the locking mechanism locks the elevator in a full nose-down position - even if you managed to make it down the runway and up to rotational speed, it would never rotate in the first place. On top of that, this same locking mechanism physically blocks the ignition key switch. Even though I follow my checklist, I truly appreciate this design.
I have been racking my brain trying to figure out a way that locking the flight controls also locks the throttle. Whoever figures that out will save lives and become a millionaire in the process!
@@eugeneweaver3199 Easy. Put an interrupting switch under the bar where it is stowed during flight. The switch by default is open and closes the ignition circuit only when it is depressed by the bar.
@@V100-e5q Ignition should be as simple as possible. A switch may fail in flight, and then the engine stops. Why not have the control lock, lock in the forward position. No takeoff then.
Juan, Thank you for your report. In 2014 at Hanscom Field in Bedford MA (about 10 miles from me) there was a similar situation where a chartered Gulfstream IV jet crashed on takeoff because the gust lock was not released. All seven souls aboard were killed. Paul (in MA) ps parts of MA (and New England) are in short term drought but Quabbin and Wachusett reservoirs are still fairly full at this time.
N121JM was the Hanscom Field accident, " ... no preflight checks in 98% of flights ... ", that sounds more like criminal negligence than complacency but sad and lethal nonetheless
Been waiting to hear back the results from this one. It still jars me to the core that someone this professional and thorough could seem impatient trying to hurry and get in the air. And now we're all dealing with the loss of Chris Darnell and Shockwave! We all need to make safety our utmost number one priority. No rushing, never, it's how we all come back home. I know that's my choice.......I've got four kids and a wife that are dependent on just that!
I cannot image a pilot more infuriated at the oversight of not removing a simple flight control safety bar than Snort! Mercifully, he only had seconds to regret his mistake. Hell hath no fury greater than an Ace making a deadly error! God be with you, Snort 🙏
An experienced Lineman for a major electrical power company once told me something as a young boy that I’ve never forgotten. He said that it’s not the young inexperienced lineman that die from electrocution while working on power lines. Rather, it’s always the older experienced lineman who aren’t fearful of electrocution anymore and either simply forget to or knowing choose not to make the proper safety checks. From this report, the same exact mindset tragically occurred here. God bless Dale and his family. Tremendous respect for Snort.
Hard to believe he could make such a mistake. However it is apparent he did. And I believe he realized his mistake with the three oh shit he said before impact.
Yes... One of the most simple mistakes, and overlooked lock that even was made by one of the best, yet but was rushed to get airborne. So like the John Denver air crash on an unfamiliar airplane and like the J. Denver by his flying a somewhat new airplane for him.
Also remember this was a turbo prop airplane that needed no runup. Many times the control check is married to the runup sequence. still no excuse but that could have been a contributing mindset.
Agree. In aviation, Any 'mindset' other than 'just take care of the business-at-hand-at-the-time', can result in tragedy. Distractions kill ... & Don't cut corners, especially on "Killer Items" ! Nickel on the Grass! GodSpeed, Snort ... ^v^
You are spot on. NO Matter how experienced. We all make mistakes. I’m a private pilot. But I can tell you a near death experience I had in the agriculture industry. Same story , different industry. Just became to comfortable in what I was doing every day. I’m really lucky to be alive
This is exactly why I got mad at my last instructor when I had the checklist in my hand getting ready to do it and he was telling me forget it let's go and grabbed the throttle. Needless to say I quickly at least made sure the controls moved while dummy was accelerating down the runway. I don't even know what his hurry was to this day but I only flew with him once after that. I am a firm believer in following checklists because we forget and make mistakes, that's why they are created. I'm so sorry for Dale's family and friends loss.
And that kind of extreme urge to rush the take-off, comming from the INSTRUCTOR HIMSELF, is more than enough reason to denounce him by a written document!
My father (not a pilot) served with Dale Snodgrass on the USS America back around 1975 I believe. Hearing stories about him and seeing his air shows was one of the reasons I got interested in aviation. Despite being in the Air Force, the Tomcat is still my favorite platform.
Complacency tends to increase as one's flight hours grow. You must recognize the symptoms of complacency and make a conscious effort to combat them. Never assume that you know it all and are the best there is.
I've been very curious to find out the cause of this tragedy. Thank you for the video. This is simply a human tragedy. You can look at human behavior across the spectrum, whether military, driving a vehicle, truck, operating a train, a ship, plane etc.....complacency will kill you. I am a former Navy man and have been in the trucking industry for over 30 years and seen many a seasoned driver cause terrible accidents due to complacency. This has to be a hard pill to swallow, but it's better to have the answers than speculate on what went wrong. This probably helped his wife and family with closure. Thank you. RIP Snort, you're still one of the greatest ever and will be remembered as such!
All pilots, performing their vital actions checklist prior to takeoff do the ‘full & free’ movement on the flight controls. How he missed this is puzzling to say the least.
I had a recent flight where my preflight, although not hasty, should’ve ended in my death as well as everyone on board. Luckily, it did not. Even if making a fuel stop and continuing on, it only takes a few minutes to check every nut, bolt, COTTER PIN, piano wire, etc. it’s better to spend 5 extra minutes on the ground in pre-flight than it is to wish you had done it as you nose into a smoking hole.
COTTER PIN!! Yes!! I was preflighting my Twin Cessna on its second flight after annual. The Cotter Pin on the bolt on the landing gear scissors link was missing and the nut had backed off and had maybe a half turn before it would have fallen off with disasterous results. I kicked myself for not finding it before the first flight while it was still at the maintenance flight!!
He might have done that it's also possible for some reason he decided to leave the control lock on when doing a pre-flight, or reinstalled the control lock after the pre-flight maybe it was windy who knows and forgot about it. I also blame the manufacture for a poor designed control lock because it still allows the rudder to be used even though the locking tabs engaged the rudder. The device doesn't even lock the rudder that well if I owned one of these I would modify the lock so it could be seen from the pilots position.
I worked with " The Real Top Gun " Dale " Snort " Snodgrass from 1998 - 2004 first rebuilding and then putting the Red White & Blue F86F SkyBlazers Jet into airshow service, and found him to be amazingly professional and quietly super capable, not to mention just an absolute blast to be around after hours, with amazing stories ! Having said that - yes, being older, distracted ( heard new Garmin panel ? ) and rushed to take off before a complete checklist & freedom of controls check ( only he may know why ) plus a modified, very high performance single engine turbine aircraft with, IMHO, an absolute garbage built in control lock that doesn't fully disable the aircraft or warn the pilot with a light or entry restriction ( three + conspiring items, again ) combined to take down one of the greatest Naval Aviators of all time. Yea, it happens - human factors, aircraft design factors - so don't ever let your guard down when flying or doing anything dangerous. Also - if this happened to other pilots in like type aircraft THEN WHY was there not an A.D. to modify the control lock that would not allow it to be taxied or even a bar to restrict entrance into the pilots seat so you could not forget to disable and stow the control lock ? Or a big light " Control Lock Engaged " ? Are there plans for an A.D. now that Dales gone, when he should be enjoying his well deserved retirement ? I hope so. If nothing else he can contribute this to others safety. We need to absolutely make sure it happens, these needless deaths have to stop. RIP Captain Dale " Snort " Snodgrass - you will forever be missed !!
Aerial tributes and missing man formations always get the tears flowing..they are so very poignant…..🙏🏽 Thank you Juan, for yet another exceptional video. You are simply so very gifted at creating teachable moments. Thank you also, for the link to Dale’s cabin video. His passing must be so very difficult for his family and friends….he was one of the good people, absolutely. 🇺🇸 “Memory is a funny thing….the simplest things can escape us, while effortlessly recalling mathematical theorems…..” quote from a NASA researcher. (Before retiring, I spent several years researching the cognitive science of prospective memory, in essence how easily, or not, the mind processes routine actions that need to be delayed from their normal schedule. My interest specifically was how this relates to professions requiring excellent memory & recall versus interference from physical conditions such as cardiac disease, in both routine and emergent circumstances.) Very early in my career, I remember a dying patient’s wife, tearfully telling me it would be so much better if doctors WERE in fact gods. Because healing would be absolute. There would be no suffering. But as we know, people are only human, with God given free will. Works out great…..most of the time….❤️🩹
I remember when I got my license, one of my instructors was a "seasoned" military pilot, giving back, and I remember one of many of my misconceptions he deflated when he talked about complacency. He said the accident statistics showed blips at 100 hours, 1,000 hours, and 10,000 hours. None of us are immune, and don't be that guy.
My instructor always told me “this airplane will try to kill today. Don’t let it.” Those words went though my head every time I did a walk around or a checklist.
Holy MOLY! 60 years of flying, 1 bad decision, and you're dead! 😲 If that's not a lesson to the rest of us, I don't know what is! Don't do check list from memory, and never, EVER get in a rush! Better late than never. Thank you, Juan for all you do!
Those words, “anybody” and “distraction”. Recently had an engine slung on a crane with me sat on the floor, under it. Unthinkingly, I unbolted the part which the crane sling was threaded through. It smashed into the ground and bounced away from me. I’d been tired and bad times at home were filling my head. That ‘anybody’ was almost me, due to ‘distraction’. Dale was a human, as are we all. Bless him and his family.
My father died from the same cause. 15000 hr pilot. NTSB courteously and politely showed me the wrecked aircraft and deformed (from impact) control lock. They have "their usual suspects" when these things occur, even if they do not publish official final results for a while.
Shit. You just know that last transmission on the radio was Snort's realization that he recognized his mistake of a control check. After his illustrious career and his aviation accomplishments, it pisses me off to no end that we lost him to such a foolish mistake. I'd bet the farm he was pissed, too. RIP Snort. 🙏
14:55 I think Scott Crossfield died when he penetrated a severe thunderstorm in a Cessna 210. It's mind-boggling to think of these guys who have so much experience in complex high-performance aircraft making these kinds of fatal errors.
I was also thinking of Crossfield. A true giant who even had an X-15 engine blow up on him while doing a ground test. Then only to be downed by a southeast thunderstorm.
Scott Crossfield was 84 when he died. Wonder what a cognitive test would have showed. We all need to evaluate ourselves honestly and know when to give it up!
Any pilot who hears about an accident like this and doesn't get a big lump in their throat, will not recognize when it happens to you, me, them, next. This is very real and it has nothing to do with experience or lack thereof. Beware all of us, beware. Thanks Blanco
When he was flying off the carrier there would have been safety observers making sure the surfaces all moved fully before he would be launched. No telling how many times he might have neglected this when flying strictly on his own.
Excellent comment! In a carrier takeoff/launch the pilot needs to stir the stick but others make sure the control surfaces move before activating the cat. But why/how could he forget to stir the stick and ignore the reduced rudder authority? Must have been rushing the takeoff for some reason. As others have said "complacency can kill you".
@@shoersa or became distracted during the pre flight and forgot, thinking he did it. Either way it's why you always do another control surface check before entering the active. Redundancy is a pilots friend
His wife said he was always slow and methodical in his preflight checks. It's in the report. But she also posted before the accident that he had trouble putting his socks on, so it sounds like age was catching up to him. RIP Snort.
@@citybright8925 Age is definitely a factor and I think about it all the time. I just turned 62 and have given up flying fighter jets. Used to own several Fouga Magisters and two A4 Skyhawks. My brain has definitely slowed down and I don't feel the need to take the risk!! I still enjoy flying but it is in a much simpler Cessna Cardinal. We all need to evaluate our capabilities as we grow older and make good decisions about those capabilities!
"A moment's complacency." Absolutely. This story is so sad, but in full transparency, represents an unnerving trend that's becoming more apparent in GA - pilots skipping the most basic procedural steps because they believe they've mentally mastered the checklist. One of my favorite vids on YT is Kermit Weeks flying his P-51. Kermit, several times after buckling himself in, starts from the left side of the cockpit and touches every knob, switch, control, instrument, then pulls the stick through its 360 rotational envelope, to verify everything is set correctly and the aircraft is ready to go. You guys in commercial aviation do something similar, I suppose, as observed in several startup procedure vids of commercial airliners. Once the touch and verify is complete, follow up with the checklist to make sure every item has been addressed. Checklists are just that - a check to make sure you have completed all the necessary steps; not "to do" lists to follow. I strongly believe training new pilots to use the checklist to do something, as opposed to using it to verify critical steps are complete, should be revisited by the training community. I believe it relives the student of the responsibility to "marry" their aircraft; in other words, learn all there is to know about it, including every step required before takeoff. This is just my opinion, and I would love to hear yours and others take on it.
People make mistakes but smart design can force people into following proper procedure. For example, the manufacturer could have easily added a switch that prevents engine start when the lock is engaged. Or lock the rudder pedals too so it's not possible to taxi to the runway to attempt takeoff. In my opinion the cause of this accident is manufacturing defect, it is so simple for the manufacturer to implement safeties that would have prevented this chain of events.
Capt Eric "Winkle" Brown was a test pilot during the 2nd war and just after it, he put his survival when many of his contemporaries didn't down to him always making at least an improvised check list if there was no published one.
Damn. I do multiple control checks just to make sure I don’t forget. Once before I startup. Once after run up, and again on lineup. I also verbalize it, and sometimes even call it the “Dale Snodgrass” check. I hope others are saved from his loss.
The swearing he uttered seconds before impact to me seemed apparent he knew he was doomed and was going to crash. My guess is he quickly realized his control lock was still engaged and he was in too deep. He knew it was his time.
Juan, I believe he initiated his taxi from the Hillcrest FBO which is on Delta between Alpha and RWYs 12/30. He then taxied northeast on Delta and made a right turn onto RWY 12 as you can see in the accident video. It was a Hillcrest employee that pulled the aircraft from its hangar and it's stated in accompanying documents that the T hangar was located south of Hillcrest FBO.
Everybody has had that day where they're in a bit of a hurry and rushed through things. Most of the time something gets broken or you forget your lunch or something unimportant. Some days the thing you forget may kill you. It's not a reflection on the skill or ability of the pilot, it's just that we're humans and humans are not perfect. Aviation is one of those activities where inattention can kill you very easily.
Great analysis of the crash Sir and thank you for respecting the memory of Mr. Snodgrass while still pointing out how complacency is a killer that can come for anyone. I’ve watched videos of Snort numerous times since his passing and he tamed the Tomcat like no pilot I have ever seen.
@Bible Error . com Must See Snort had nearly 5000 hours in the F-14. One of the last checks they do before a Cat Shot is to check all of the control surfaces by moving the stick around. You would think it would be second nature for him.
Hard to accept one of the great naval fighter pilots (F-14 TOMCAT) would not do a complete preflight I served with Capt Snodgrass aboard USS CARL VINSON RIP sir
I feel so bad for him! I watched video of his wonderful new cabin with airfield! It was a dream home and he was probably excited to get there and do the finnishing touches. Just goes to show eveyone that hast makes waste with preflight checklists. Such a great man and aviator gone too soon. May GOD bless him and keep him. All respects to his family.
When you fly in the service they go over the mission and then you have go out on deck or if on land and you have the aircraft service people around. There is a routine that is done every time. Starting the engines. Checking all flight control surfaces. The deck personal and Dale went through a routine. He got lazy and was in a hurry. Somehow Dale became complacent because he did not do the basic preflight tests. He did not die because he was a bad pilot. He died because he lost sight of what kept him safe.
The manager of Hillcrest Aviation told the NTSB that Snodgrass' preflight inspections "always took a long time" in each of his three aircraft. data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13933618&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Hillcrest%20Employee_Redacted-Rel.pdf
Correction: Snodgrass' preflight inspections "always took a VERY long time." [Emphasis added.] Snort was a precise and careful aviator long after leaving the service.
The checklists for this aircraft prior to takeoff have only one reference to flight controls. Item 2 Before Take OFF, “Flight Controls Check.” There is no mention of “Gust lock remove” on the first checklist, the preparation for engine start. Perhaps inclusion of this item in that checklist could prevent another pilot from this error. Tragic.
Getting in too big of a hurry! I know someone who was at the FBO when he arrived and they said he was very rushed! RIP Snort, Aviation lost a good one!
Bugger.... shows just how careful you have to be - preflight and control check everytime.... poor guy. Having a control lock not affect the rudder and tail wheel too much may have contributed to him not considering it. I wonder if in the military with the ground crew and process of checking the controls done in conjunction a ground crew was a mental barrier to doing himself whilst single pilot alone when in a rush (for reasons unknown). Probably died horrified and infuriated withhimself whilst trying to compensate with the trim wheel, such a shame. It does seem like this is something that could/should be designed out of the aircraft by making it impossible to fly/absolutely clear when starting up that it was engaged, if it can happen it will eventually happen. Poor guy. RIP.
You have to “have your head in the game” and it takes a focused effort to do that especial for single pilot pleasure flights. And it is more often an issue for the “experienced” pilot for whom flying has become as natural as putting on your shoes. Kick the tires and light the fire’ taken literally kills. My friend of mine was an airline captain but I saw him get into his Cessna and try to taxi away with the tail tied to a bucket of cement.
I’m not a pilot but I agree … I get in my car several times a day and do I check it …kick the tyres, etc? In New Zealand we warrant a vehicle annually now, not 6 monthly. Last time our BMW station wagon was warranted it was alarming to learn a tyre was near bursting…it was in the inside so no chance of my seeing this fault. Flying must become second nature for a seasoned pilot..,but we humans do make slip ups. I do feel deeply saddened for Dale, his wife and family as he was well known…and there’s this awful video of the crash…and when you know it is human error, it does leave a sickening feeling. Juan always feeds info back sensitively. Still, I don’t even know Dale and yet I’m feeling tearful. Plain sad. It’s nice to read a lot of sympathetic comments. 🇳🇿🇳🇿🐑🐑
I'm not even a pilot, but I watch Jimmys World. He's a checklist guy, but on that last video, he mumbled through the checklist to start the aircraft. Even if the machine isn't going to move, the checklist card is there for a reason. I was very surprised that he mumbled through that. I even run through checklists when using MSFS2020. It's something that I will do now for all types of tasks.
Thank you for closure Juan. I've been patiently waiting for this episode ever since I first heard of the accident. Snort was my CO during the Gulf War. Very difficult to think that Dale would skip a step during preflight, just wasn't like him, he was always so thorough and calculated.
A friend of mine (now passed away) who worked for the FAA once told me, “A silent checklist is a mortician’s dream”. It always stuck with me. Eternal rest grant unto Snort, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen 🙏🏼💙
Yup,can happen to anyone…. In my career I have seen mistakes that happened when rushed. Tell me if this every happened to you, your coming up on the hold short line and the tower says “flight xxx,” your cleared for an immediate take off, aircraft on a 4 mile final. You takeoff, go to departure and he says “check your transponder”…. Whoops…. Just an example…. Being rushed should be NO part of flying airplanes. Coming from someone with a few times around the patch…. God bless you Dale 🙏
All those years he spent being the consummate professional, serving honorably as a military fighter pilot, operating complex, state of the art $50 million aircraft, only to meet his end flying such a simple aircraft. So very sad. Continued prayers for him, his family, and all who knew him.
Question, before takeoff checklist, one pulls back on the yoke , dumps it forward, left then right, applies left n right rudder, can a pilot complete those n still miss the control locks still engaged in this particular scenario?
It's accidents like these that are part of the reason I decided to not pursue a PPL. Thanks Juan for breaking down these accidents. I really enjoy your channel.
Yup, me too. I had always wanted to get my PPL and just recently retired, I finally had the time and the funds required. I had seen a few single engine PPL crashes locally, and those plus this accident made me decide against it. I don't regret it at all. I want to enjoy my hard-earned pension, years of retirement, and future grandchildren (I hope !) more than a PPL.
I get a little bit of grief from my 40 years bride about my habits. I survived 30 years of law enforcement by using a mental checklist before I leave a safe place. Paranoid? Nope, just prepared. It takes just a few seconds to reinforce mental and muscle memories. Don’t be in a hurry, maintain your rituals as if your life depends upon it because it does.
