AOPA Never Again

On this episode of “Never Again,” a sudden loss of power at 17,000 feet leaves one pilot scrambling to find a place to land. When the turbocharger fails on his Piper Malibu Mirage, Lawrence Searcy relies on his training, declares an emergency, and diverts to the nearest suitable airport. But the emergency doesn't end when the wheels touch down.

On this episode of “Never Again,” a Mooney pilot thinks he’s found a bargain on fuel—but the short grass runway, summer heat and trees ahead quickly turn a $20 savings into a terrifying takeoff. 

On this episode of “Never Again,” a routine IFR flight turns into a fight against worsening weather when a Cessna 210 pilot encounters heavy snow, a 30-knot crosswind, accumulating ice, and an engine problem on approach. With visibility down to less than a quarter mile and the runway disappearing beneath fresh snow, he must decide whether to divert—or commit to the landing.

On this episode of “Never Again,” a simple dinner date turns into an emergency when a Mooney pilot discovers his fuel gauges have been lying to him. With the engine quitting, an unexpected landing at a military base, and a less-than-pleased commanding officer waiting on the ground, one overlooked step during preflight nearly has disastrous consequences.

In this episode of “Never Again,” transitioning between two twin-engine airplanes turns a routine touch-and-go into a runway accident. The flap lever in one cockpit occupies the exact same spot as the landing gear lever in another—and years of muscle memory prove stronger than a moment's intention.