128. Blinded by Oil
5/6/202628 min
In Episode 128 of I Learned About Flying From That, host Carl Valeri welcomes Bill English, a veteran pilot, flight instructor, and former NTSB accident investigator with over 40 years of aviation experience. Bill recounts a harrowing situation while flying a Cessna 172 that had just undergone a major engine overhaul. Setting out on a cross-country training flight with two CFI trainees, the crew noticed what appeared to be water condensation on the windshield shortly after takeoff. The "rain" quickly worsened, turning into a brown film that completely obscured the front windshield. They soon realized a plug in the engine's hollow crankshaft had blown out, spraying hot oil all over the aircraft's fuselage. Tune in to hear the full breakdown of the emergency, plus vital lessons learned.
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Transcript preview
First 90 secondsCarl Valeri· Host0:00
[upbeat music] Imagine taking off and your windshield becomes covered in what you perceive as water, but it's not raining outside. What do you do? Well, this experienced flight instructor used his knowledge and his skills as a tailwheel pilot to successfully land the airplane. Welcome to episode 128 of I Learned About Flying From That, sponsored by Avemco Insurance. My name is Karl Volari, and joining me today is Bill English. Hey, Bill. Welcome to the show.
Bill English· Guest0:33
Hey, Karl. Great to be here.
Carl Valeri· Host0:34
You know, Bill and I have a lot of background. We've actually flown together, uh, so I know a lot about you, but, uh, our audience doesn't. So before we get into this amazing story, uh, and the successful landing, what, what is your background in, in aviation, and how did you get passionate about it? And you truly are.
Bill English· Guest0:52
Sure. Um, Karl, I mean, I don't think I know anything about aviation. I've been flying since I was 19 years old, uh, pretty much, uh, so over, well over 40 years now. I want to say exactly how long. Uh, um, but, uh, yeah, always loved aviation of any kind. Um, been a pilot and flight instructor for all my life. Did go rusty for a little while. Uh, worked as an air traffic controller. I was an NTSB accident investigator for 23 years. Retired from that. Um, went back into f- flight instruction, general aviation. Uh, was chief, uh, chief pilot, chief instructor at a