This whole thing blows!

Sew...

if you're resigned to taking the 709 ride.....and it may well be the path to your ratings of least resistance... why not go after the 709 blemish to have it removed after you are reinstated ?? Call their bluff- send a flunky scientist up there to examine the soil... and make sure he finds some traces of avgas!!

I think, rather than pushing back hard right now... I will do just that. After I complete the oral exam and have a letter approving my competency... I will file a formal complaint with their office.
Will badger the AOPA lawyer to do it... since they are essentially doing nothing for me now.
If I push my luck now... the oral exam could be a real bitch. It has to be to ATP PTS standards, since they tell me they test to the highest rating held. It is going to be interesting... because I will bring the operators handbook for the Luscombe 8E. It is 8 pages in total. It says it holds 25 gallons of gas and burns 5.5 per hour. No further data given. That's about how simple it was in 1947.
It penalizes me now... to have trained and added ratings over the years. I have separate ATP checkrides in my book for single engine, multi-engine, and sea plane. Have Instructor ratings, helicopter, balloon etc.
They can sure ask a lot of questions if they want.
I just find it incredible now, to realize they are not above lying to you. To claim they thoroughly examined the soil for fuel... and then find out they did not show up that day... really steams me.
If I pay for soil samples... the EPA is going to discover a rare turtle out there with cancer.... and I am going to jail for sure. This flying stuff is sure fun some days.

flightlogic wrote:they thoroughly examined the soil for fuel...

Just a thought.

Is there anything in a report stating when they examined the soil? I know avgas evaporates pretty quickly. But, I guess it may leave a blue stain in the soil?

Like stated, I guess this issue can work for you or against you.

Good luck!!

Was there vegetation where the plane ended up? Just take a picture in a week and everything will be dead. Gas is a great vegetation killer. But like you said. then your screwed for dumping gas on some rare weed or something Wish you all the best!!!

Part of the new Pilots Bill of Rights. Distributed today:


9. Letters Requesting Reexamination under 49 U.S.C. § 44709. Letters requesting reexamination under 49 U.S.C. § 44709 involve FAA investigations of an individual’s qualifications to continue to hold an airman certificate, rating, or inspection authorization. Because reexaminations of an individual’s qualifications are not investigations for the purpose of determining whether a violation exists, only some of the written notifications under the PBR apply in these cases. Inspectors must use the Letter Requesting Reexamination under 49 U.S.C. § 44709 (Appendix C) for any airman who is the subject of a reexamination of his or her qualifications to continue to hold an airman certificate, rating, or inspection authorization. This letter will provide the required notification for a situation where the airman places his or her certificate on temporary deposit pending reexamination.

Note: The inspector must send the letter requesting reexamination via certified mail, or hand deliver the letter, in order to be able to record the date the airman received the information required by the PBR.

Just finishing this thread.
Opted to take the exam with the FAA.... that was the advice from AOPA Lawyer.
Now I have a permanent record in Oklahoma City of my re-examination, as a result of a plane crash.
The inspector admitted, anyone could get a copy of this under the FOI act. Will wait to see if insurance rates go up.
39 years of violation free flying... and I get zinged by a lazy liar in California.
He has perjured himself in the investigation process. Now that I am in the clear after the exam, I am going after him. I will be agressively running this up the federal flagpole. The only thing I could see as a result of the PILOTS BILL OF RIGHTS... was a form letter I got saying anything I said could and would be used against me in court... if a violation was filed. I don't think this is what Senator Inhoffe had in mind with his new law.
Will keep those interested posted on any results.

FL... that stinks all the way around.

Good luck with your pursuit of justice, please keep us informed of your progress.

PM me your address, I'd like to kick in an hour's worth of fuel toward your expenses.

flightlogic wrote:Just finishing this thread.
Opted to take the exam with the FAA.... that was the advice from AOPA Lawyer.
Now I have a permanent record in Oklahoma City of my re-examination, as a result of a plane crash.

39 years of violation free flying... and I get zinged by a lazy liar in California.
He has perjured himself in the investigation process. Now that I am in the clear after the exam, I am going after him. I will be agressively running this up the federal flagpole.

What BS to go through. Let's see...

An ATP rated pilot with almost four decades of experience. A non-commercial flight with only one soul on board. No injuries. Some bent aluminum after a successful emergency landing, and a slow speed roll over due to the terrain. And a fuel receipt dated/timed right before the incident showing gas was in the airplane.

This is like getting dumped off your dirt bike in the desert and breaking off some plastic. Why on God's green earth should anyone official give a shit? What a country.

Gump

When is one supposed to call the FAA?

I've seen planes banged up like this several times over the years and nothing came of it, they just fixed them and moved on, didn't call anyone.

I'm having a turn at a forced dance with powerful bureaucrats at this time.
I won't/don't dare say more in a public forum. There is a lot at stake.

Please don't respond on here, just breathe me a wish of a happy ending under you breath and -if you will-and keep moving.....
Thanks,
lc

Shouldn't there be an emoticon with tears?

Intentionally abbreviated/short/brief update:
I am now flying under a 'Special Issuance 3rd class medical'..... and retired.
My 'medical status' will be reviewed on a short term basis....
At this point, nothing serious to anyone but my (previous) work.... and the FAA!

'Nuff said,
lc

If you can afford to challenge it after the re-exam, go for it. Proper soil analysis will show up avgas for a long time so you'll be able to get the data you need.

Just an update. Starting the long process to go after the FAA "inspector" who lied during the accident investigation. Support here on the forum was outstanding... even including offers of gas etc.
What I would like to propose... to those who might be inclined: A recent crash left a couple of good guys dead in Atlanta. They were on duty in a PD helo.
If you follow the link in the news, there is a place for donations for the families. The TFO had three little kids. Cause of the crash is not known yet... but I imagine they were in an autorotation for some reason. That is always dicey in the city... and of course worse at night.
Bad all the way around. So, for those inclined to support fellow pilots in times of need... think about a donation. And Thank You all again for writing and commentary in my confrontation with the feds after crashing. If anything significant comes of this, I will post again later.
In the meantime... fasten those shoulder harnesses. Wear cotton or wool and keep your eyes peeled for danger.