RV lands on soccer field

[Rupester]

Erik,
I only hope I could perform half as well under similar circumstances. (And I fervently hope I never see similar circumstances!)
VERY nicely done ....and thanks for giving us the firsthand account of what transpired. It's wonderfully instructive.

[Berchmans]

Eric,
You did it all right once the engine quite. You flew the plane. I would fly with you any day.

[unclelar]

I know you feel really bad right now and a bit depressed but congrats! You did a great job under the circumstances. Could have been a real mess. With the spar undamaged it shouldn't be that hard to repair, especially if the fuel tank isn't too bad. Wing tips are relatively easy to replace and gives you an opportunity to upgrade the lighting if you want.

Good luck and a good job.

[Sig600]

Here is what no one (from what I've read) has mentioned thus far:

You were lower than you're comfortable with, and when the problems with that became reality you recognized it and instantly fessed up to yourself that you weren't going to make the field.

Your brain was working out the possibilities long before it became reality, and you acted accordingly accepting the reality of the situation in the moment.

"Always keep your brain 2-3 minutes ahead of the airplane." In this case not only were you there mentally for normal ops, but you were already there in the 'what if'.

Outstanding job brother.

[Jim F]

Erik
My son used to play on that soccer field (Westminster College)
I have been there and there are lots of obstacles you could have hit.
You did great.....

As to passengers.... wouldn't it lend confidence knowing the pilot had responded appropriately in a critical emergency??

I would fly with you...
Jim Frisbie
Rv-9A
Canby, OR

[eisnerrv4]

Thanks for sharing this with us. Good information for us fellow RV guys and all other pilots.

Glad to see you're alright and not much damaged to the airplane.

While your airplane is getting fixed get back in the saddle asap.

[dmaib]

Originally Posted by erikpmort

At this point i don't know exactly how this is going to affect my future flying and decision making. The biggest loss is the confidence of those around me that have or would have flown with me in the future. I love flying but sharing it is hard enough without those you know hearing your plane went down, and its an EXPERIMENTAL, and only crazy people build airplanes, and they crash all the time. Sigh. I am alive though!

I just finished reading the entire thread. I normally don't pile on with a "me too" response, but I will this time.
You passed, with flying colors, the test most of us worry about our whole flying career. Your situational awareness (being aware that you were lower than you would like to be) and your ability to keep flying the airplane saved the day. I was particularly glad to see your comment about not looking at the airspeed indicator after the first glance for flap speed. You won't need to look at it if you know your airplane and have trained for, and thought about, this scenario. Well done, and I would fly with you any time!

[erikpmort]

No slosh.

I am encouraged by all the positive responses. Thank you.

[Strasnuts]

Erik,

It's been awhile but try Alta Aircraft right there at U42. Look for a gentleman named Mark Losee. He is a great guy and has a lot of years of experience. I did my private pilots license with his planes in 1992 there.

Can't find nicer people and great prices.

https://plus.google.com/112263324837...ut?gl=us&hl=en

801-566-8271

BTW, nice work flying the plane.

[Rotorheadrob]

Good Job Erik,

"Fly the plane first" CHECK! 👍