Pilot Survives In-Flight Prop Loss | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-06.02.25

Airborne-NextGen-06.03.25

AirborneUnlimited-06.04.25

Airborne-AffordableFlyers-06.05.25

AirborneUnlimited-06.06.25

Fri, Sep 26, 2014

Pilot Survives In-Flight Prop Loss

Says Eagle Scout Training Help Him Through Post-Accident Ordeal

A 65-year-old pilot from the San Francisco Bay area found himself in one of those situations that no pilot wants to experience; the prop had come off his airplane.

Tim Cassel told television station KNTV that the prop separated from the airplane at about 13,000 feet over the Sierra Nevada mountains. He eventually put the Piper PA-28 down in a remote canyon in Sequoia National Park. He suffered broken ribs, a broken ankle, and facial fractures from the accident, but he was alive and able to get himself out of the aircraft.

Cassel said he put his Eagle Scout training to work to help him survive. As night fell and temperatures dropped, he wrapped himself in the airplane's cockpit cover to stay warm and activated an emergency locator beacon. He was found by park rangers about 18 hours after the plane went down.

Cassel has been flying about seven years, according to the report. When asked if he plans to fly again, his response was an enthusiastic "you bet."

(Image from file. Not accident airplane)

FMI: www.ntsb.gov

Advertisement

More News

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (06.03.25): No Gyro Approach

No Gyro Approach A radar approach/vector provided in case of a malfunctioning gyro-compass or directional gyro. Instead of providing the pilot with headings to be flown, the contro>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (06.03.25)

Aero Linx: European Hang Gliding and Paragliding Union (EHPU) The general aim of the EHPU is to promote and protect hang gliding and paragliding in Europe. In order to achieve this>[...]

ANN FAQ: Turn On Post Notifications

Make Sure You NEVER Miss A New Story From Aero-News Network Do you ever feel like you never see posts from a certain person or page on Facebook or Instagram? Here’s how you c>[...]

Airborne 05.30.25: Anti-Helicopter Bill, PW Strike Done, All-Electric Bristell

Also: Duffy Wants $$$, KS Airports, Morningside U’s Aviation School, New Airstrip In ID After 6 were killed in a helicopter crash over the Hudson River, several US Representa>[...]

Airborne 05.29.25: ATC Bonu$, VX4 eVTOL Flies, Starship 9 Test

Also: Hermeus Quarterhorse MK1, Seaplane Rating Guide, Vietjet A330neos, SFO Wacky Weed Bust As the air traffic controller shortage trudges on, the US Department of Transportation >[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC