Local pilot experiences electrical failure in plane, still lands safely
The pilot of a Cessna 210 taxis by a fire truck on his way back to a hangar at Victoria Regional Airport after a safe landing. The pilot reported an electrical system failure shortly before 11 a.m., Tuesday. Using a cell phone, the pilot was able to return to Victoria Regional Airport about 1 hour after takeoff. The flight plan showed San Antonio as the original destination.
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EVENT IN A NUTSHELL
10:20 a.m.: Plane takes off at the Victoria Regional Airport
Electrical problems begin within minutes of take-off. The pilot, Dr. Stanly Heckrodt, contacts Houston Air Route Traffic Control Center via cell phone.
10:57 a.m.: Emergency ...
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EVENT IN A NUTSHELL
10:20 a.m.: Plane takes off at the Victoria Regional Airport
Electrical problems begin within minutes of take-off. The pilot, Dr. Stanly Heckrodt, contacts Houston Air Route Traffic Control Center via cell phone.
10:57 a.m.: Emergency call comes into Victoria.
Houston helps guide pilot back toward Victoria
Shortly after noon: Pilot lands safely in Victoria
A late-morning flight deteriorated into an emergency situation when electrical troubles hit Dr. Stanly Heckrodt's plane.
The local pilot flew out of the Victoria Regional Airport on Tuesday en route to San Antonio when, during his first few minutes of flight, his Cessna 210 suffered complete electrical failure.
The plane had received a complete engine overhaul about two weeks prior, he said.
"Of course, I'm in the clouds, I can't see," said Heckrodt, a family practitioner. "I don't have an altimeter, there's no way of knowing how many miles I was out."
The only instrumentation Heckrodt said he had was a wet compass and artificial horizon, which told him whether he was facing up or down.
Without radio capabilities, he reached for the next best thing: his cell phone.
Heckrodt contacted the Houston Air Route Traffic Control Center and, although he only maintained 10 to 20 seconds of communication at a time, worked with them to turn back toward Victoria.
Houston also transmitted messages to the Victoria tower, said Capt. Herb Tucker with the Victoria County Sheriff's Office.
The emergency call came into Victoria at 10:57 a.m., said Ron Pray, Victoria County fire marshal.
The day's foggy, drizzly conditions left Heckrodt with little to no visibility, Tucker said.
"It couldn't be any worse," he said at 11:45 a.m.
Intermittent updates regarding the pilot's whereabouts came over police scanners as the team worked to bring the pilot in safely.
Shortly before noon, word came that the plane regained electricity, but the alternator was still out.
Heckrodt's plane landed shortly after noon as emergency personnel stood by. An EMS team met with him to assess any injury, but the pilot was unharmed, Pray said.
The landing came with its share of confusion, Pray said, explaining officials were unsure exactly which direction Heckrodt would fly in from.
Emergency personnel practiced for just such an event last year, and Pray said he was proud of the way everyone came together.
"They worked hand-in-hand on this situation and everything went great," he said.
Heckrodt said he was glad to see so many people out there to help if necessary.
"Everyone was extremely cooperative and helpful," he said, adding he's taken calls from friends, family and even members of the Houston control center checking in on him.
The longtime pilot said he won't let the incident keep him from flying.
A car owner wouldn't stop driving because of a broken fan belt, he noted.
He plans to have mechanics evaluate the plane, fix what needs to be fixed and make another attempt at San Antonio on Friday or Saturday, depending on the weather.
The event allowed him to use the basic lessons he's gathered through his 33 years of flight experience.
"It goes back to what pilots are trained to do," the 61-year-old said. "First, fly the plane above all. Then take care of any problems."
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Comments
What a wonderful story!! I am so happy for you and your family!! TAKE CARE AND BE SAFE!!
February 5, 2010 at 8:04 a.m.familyman1122..."One lucky pilot!"
No, the luck was bad that he had the electrical failure. The fact that he safely landed the plane was due to excellent training and many years of experience that allowed him to not panic while he was flying the plane and communicating with the controller. This is a pilot with whom I would fly anytime because he doesn't depend on luck.
February 4, 2010 at 11:55 a.m.Stan, I will always fly with you. Something to be said about a family of pilots. I am sure that Kyle got alot of his common "fly sense" from you.
Look forward to flying with you again.
Chris Swalberg
February 4, 2010 at 10:32 a.m.This is the outcome of training, training, training!
February 4, 2010 at 6:57 a.m.One lucky pilot! Congrats for your safe return to the ground and good luck in the future.
Great job Uncle Stan! I'm so proud of you and I'm glad you made it back to ground safe and sound! By the way this is Kendra >.<
February 3, 2010 at 4:41 p.m.Yes i know what a wet compass is. As well as other parts of the aircraft. I spent time as a door gunner in Germany, 1/4 Infantry, in Hohenfels.
February 3, 2010 at 3:59 p.m.Raven8,
When we say "wet" compass, we mean the magnetic compass. The compass card is suspended in fluid so that the magnets can seek north with relatively little friction hampering them. Some of the old timers will also call it a "whiskey compass."
February 3, 2010 at 12:42 p.m.Did the altimeter come back on?
Did not know which direction he was coming in from? What happen to the radar? Was it wet? He stated he had a wet compass, did he not relay this information to the tower?
Glad your safe Mr Heckrodt. On a wing and a prayer. Yea baby.
February 3, 2010 at 12:30 p.m.Obviously a cool headed individual. congratulations
February 3, 2010 at 10:05 a.m.great job!
February 2, 2010 at 10:30 p.m.Good job Stan!
February 2, 2010 at 7:21 p.m.