TBM Flight Did NOT Go As Planned

[@cdmactube]

As a fellow TBM pilot, I think you did a great job staying calm under stress, handling problems, and flying the plane. We can all learn from that. At the same time, I take a more conservative risk approach. Had I lost heat at 30k ft (first failure in a possible chain of future events), I would have diverted to an airport with little to no weather and access to mechanics to minimize any additional risks. No heat + night + mountains + heavy precipitation + IFR far exceed my risk threshold. Hope to connect in one of the TBM activities.

[@TK-yg3wh]

+1

[@zooyork970]

You would have done all those things because you value probably your life more than generating KZbin content for a monetized channel.

[@dylanclare5501]

the correct approach

[@gregwilliams9749]

You asked a lot from center. Glad she was able to cater to you

[@DrzewieckiDesign]

ATC did really great too. The amount of guidance was exceptional.

[@BonanzaPilot]

After years of flying Bonanzas in what I thought was "all safe weather" stepping into turboprops was a little bit of an eye opener for the same reasons you are experiencing. Flights like these would be total no goes in a Bonanza. The turboprop makes them safe but brings in a whole new set of complexities we just aren't familiar with. Thank you for documenting your experience.

[@DJ99777]

Sounds like you have your own personal ATC there.

[@gtr1952]

At 72 I have a lot to look back and reflect on. 40 years ago I may have done this exact same thing. Today, a Holiday Inn, some light chow, a couple cocktails and a good nights sleep/rest would be my flight plan in this case. I think Matt did a great job!! Too many holes in the Swiss cheese for this 72 year old. Great job Matt! 8) --gary

[@jdbarney]

I’m glad you have the experience to navigate through that situation. My risk tolerance would be a bit below that threshold, but glad it all worked out safely in the end.

[@Mistamannfour]

The superior pilot uses his/her superior judgment to prevent having to use his/her superior skill! I wonder about the flight planning for this flight! I find it hard to believe that proper weather planning for this flight did not show the low visibility at the destination and surrounding airports. I am glad that he made it safe to his destination.

[@mattguthmiller]

I said at the beginning of both videos that we’d probably end up in Idaho Falls.

[@Mistamannfour]

@@mattguthmiller True; however, the better course of action, ADM, would have been to stay on the ground and wait for better weather. Being IFR rated does not mean you should fly into IMC! You pushed a situation that you did not need to; however, this time, it worked out in your favor. Next time it may not!

[@5degreenegativerake]

Continuing a flight with a broken airplane in poor weather to a destination you know is below minimums, what could go wrong?

[@mattguthmiller]

@@5degreenegativerake you must have missed the part before the approach where it was above minimums and nothing relevant to that was broken?

[@5degreenegativerake]

@@mattguthmiller I’m not looking for an argument man, the bottom line is it doesn’t really affect me if you die in a plane crash. Your airplane was broken, you were obviously cold, cold is a distraction when you are already high workload, you said yourself in the video that you didn’t want to shoot an approach just to go missed, so you were expecting weather below minimums en route. These are all holes in the swiss cheese model that are lining up. Get on the ground wherever you can, ferry to a good repair spot if needed when weather improves.

[@FlySimWithF]

That was a great controller you had on center

[@mgoblue0970]

28:23... way to thank the controller for all their help. Seesh.

[@NovackNGoode]

Yep she kept it very professional using correct RT phraseology almost all calls. She saved his bacon and he couldn’t even give her a thank you.

[@chuckhalen9543]

The more I watch Matt, the more I loose respect for this guy. He is spoiled, takes unnecessary risks, thinks he’s invincible and i truly believe these poor choices and attitude will eventually catch up to him. I hope not, but there is something very unsettling about him.

[@Wingman77tws]

wow that was a lot. great flying, and super props to the lady too for being cool and collected, that was really good. great flying and thank you for posting this kind of content.

[@TBolt1]

Is it normal to be relying on ATC for so much information in-flght? Seems like, if you have to ask for so much information in-flight, you shouldn't be there in the first place.

[@ronarnott1801]

Perhaps the better decision would have been a no go from the comfort of your home. Hopefully fuel was not an issue. Weather forecasting in my experience can be quite off in either direction. TAFs tend probably to be closer than wide area forecasts. I'm sure Alpine did not have a TAF to go off of in your pre planning. Amidst your in flight complexities you did keep a fairly cool head. ATC did an amazingly good job with you and other aircraft responsibilities she had.

[@FlyMeAirplane]

Great (scary) flight and fantastic editing. Thanks for taking us along.

[@Mike7478F]

When a TBM starts with issues its a beast to work with! Ask Steveo about his TBM 850 issues. But overall a superb aircraft.

[@onthemoney7237]

Great job flying it was very interesting for me sitting in my armchair of course lol . I missed what your fuel reserve was I’m glad that wasn’t a issue . Glad you guys were safe 👍🇺🇸

[@theflyingplumber]

The way you did your commentary, regarding that flight, indicated the stress you were under. I had a few flights that were stressful and years later, something like your video will trigger a trip that I have done and wonder if one more problem occurred, would the trip have ended well. This video is one of those flights that made me relive my flight and I could relive that feeling of knowing that one more issue could turn this flight into my last. It is a type of flight that makes you religious.

[@eagle2019]

Did this aircraft sit for a while before you purchased it??? Was a TBM service center maintaining it?? Sounds like it needs a through going over?

[@rocky_williams]

I’ve got about 500 hours in the TBM 9xx series. It seems there’s always some little gremlins to chase down. Even in the brand new airplanes with less than 50 hours.

[@whymistamista5614]

Glad you got out of it. But that whole flight sounded like a debrief from Blancolirio. Be safe.

[@ryanawilson8549]

I can only imagine what this felt like in the cockpit

[@JZainbear]

One of the best videos I’ve ever seen on situations like this. Call me a chicken but in a turboprop no amount of icing will ever be intentionally part of my flight plan. Any bad weather I’m staying home. Truly well done on the video editing and staying cool under pressure.

[@baomao7243]

Good call. VERY good call.

[@harpandharley]

So glad you kept your wits about you and had a successful conclusion with your flight. You had a lot of issues to deal with .. cabin heat, lousy weather (snow, ice, turbulence), stubborn landing gear and limited options. Get the airplane on the ground and call it a day.

[@mattflynn1838]

Matt great job by you and your editor Kevin. This is great real life scenarios that happen. In the Bonanza you would have never attempted that flight. Now you have a whole bunch of new complexities other than that bad alternator! Nice job putting this together and ignore the trolls that say they make all the right decisions on the flight sim in their mom’s basement.

[@scottbeyer101]

Night. Ice. Mountains. Oof. Tough combo.

[@baomao7243]

…and single engine. That combo is not my cup of tea.

[@johngreco1127]

Thank you for the video, nice watching from my warm kitchen! Glad you made it safely to Idaho Falls.

[@MikeJamesMedia]

Wow, "One thing leads to another." Excellent work, managing all those things!

[@chrisanderson4799]

As a Corporate Pilot with 30 years In Turboprops and Jets Night and Mountains don’t mix. Night, Mountains, hard IMC is has written off quite a few good aviators. Throw in Ice and you really have the cards stacked

[@igclapp]

Single pilot definitely. But with a co-pilot helping you out it can be a lot safer.

[@chrisanderson4799]

@@igclapp I fly both as a crew and SP. I am current on the PC12 single pilot, the PC24 single pilot, and the Falcon 2000LX as a crew. Flying SP I feel mor in tune with the overall situational awareness. The crew flying is obviously safer but I also feel a disconnect with what’s going on as a whole because the job is compartmentalized.

[@rustycolon9368]

When things are constantly going wrong, perhaps it's time to evaluate your decisions to fly in this kind of weather.

[@transactcredit]

Using a call to the airport plow operator was brilliant idea

[@igclapp]

Ultimately it backfired because he had to go missed.

[@ams54321]

@@igclapp It didnt backfire. It remains a great idea and a way of getting a first hand report of whats happening on the ground AT THAT TIME. The plough operator cant control what happens to the weather/mimimums AFTER their call.

[@oltimer5544]

That's a good way to get a first hand weather report; however, horizontal visibility at ground level is way different than slant visibility made from the cockpit looking down for a runway.

[@PCAZCANUCK]

Save some ATC for the rest of us.

[@jonclassical2024]

Nice haircut!!! Totally agree best piece of equipment to fly with is a credit card and Plan B, C and D!

[@RJ1Reed]

As a high time pilot and Saratoga owner….you had your hands full. What’s was the issue with the gear? I’m guessing contamination but not familiar with the TBM systems and gear operation. Great flying and we all can learn from scenarios like this and great airmanship. Would love to fly with you.

[@oisiaa]

Very scary. Happy you made it. This is how accidents happen.

[@RogerFleischer-p3f]

So many circumnavigators to adivise Matt based on their immense experience. What a blessing!

[@scottleckliter4992]

Wow Matt. Watching this was stressful until you touched down. Excellent flying! Big props to your px for being so calm too.

[@Morpheen999]

Nice job Matt, great flying!

[@kurtisf3366]

That was stressful to watch. Must have been heartbreaking having to execute that missed approach after everything you’d been through up to that point. Good decision not to push that approach and to divert.

[@Yannick1092]

Nice job. missing the Hot wing and the jet next time. TBM has it's challenges in Icing due to the boots

[@richc47us]

Great Video Matt...this one goes in the learning library to be repeated over again...Thanks

[@gipsyqueen2222]

Better flight planning and preparation would have avoided much of this unnecessary risk. That's how disasters start in situations where they shouldn't happen and you wonder, how could something like that happen?

[@gewglesux]

Dude, you kept cool and dealt with the situations.. I think you did well.

[@stevenboyd5044]

Aviation content is on point today!

[@Gulf76]

High IQ + Confidence in one’s capabilities + High tolerance for risk + Need to be in the limelight = Impaired judgment Self-awareness might dissuade you from flying into these conditions again!

[@clarencewiles963]

This was amazing and so cold. 🥶 I’m glad you got in.

[@JZainbear]

Synthetic vision on the G1000 reduces the pucker factor by a point or two. Great stuff.

[@igclapp]

More like 10x. A great safety advance.

[@johnbecker1996]

Keep pushing your luck into weather... one of the other KZbin aviation channels will put together a nice tribute video.

[@johnqdoe]

simp

[@alanw.4511]

MSFS 2020 hasa TBM that you can use for your virtual/animated content

[@TedwardDrives]

Color me stressed out. Glad this worked out but wow. A lot going on there

[@gavinferguson]

an old skipper used to say the minute you think there a problem and thought a little more and id doesn't look better do something else change port or just turn round

[@briansims4365]

Matt did u feel that this flight might be your last? We all have had flights where we wished we had not left the ground. We live thru it and are so relieved we made it. U were looking thru a whole lot of swiss cheese slices my brother, dont let the planes capabilities change your go or no go

[@igclapp]

I didn't get the impression they were in any real danger. They had enough fuel to get back to KIDA and the TBM was handling the ice ok.

[@igclapp]

I would also add that you should treat every flight as if it might be your last, even just a trip around the pattern. No flight is routine.

[@oltimer5544]

"A man's got to know his limitations." Single engine turboprop, at night, in ice, flying an approach in mountainous terrain to minimums. No way, no how. Too many negatives for comfort. Been there, done that. Your first inclination was correct, to go to Idaho Falls. I got a bad feeling when you reconsidered Alpine. 'Fate is the hunter.' Forty-four years Navy and corporate pilot, 16,000+ hours, 6 jet type ratings. There are no old bold pilots.

[@johnqdoe]

Oh god, put your covid mask back on and go sit in the back, sir.

[@oltimer5544]

So what's your aviation experience? Can you back up your snarkiness with time in the cockpit? Actual IFR? Night/mountain flying in icing conditions? Turbine and jet experience? Let's hear it. @@johnqdoe

[@gewglesux]

sounds pretty quiet from here..@@oltimer5544

[@oisiaa]

You need to pack a box of "hot hands". I bet they don't work quite as well at altitude with the lower Oxygen pressure in the cabin.

[@dennismiller7605]

QOW! Some thoughts. The ATC controller who stuck with you was a saint for sure. Your ability to think rationally and keep your emotions under control was commendable. I'm sure a lot of old pilots watching are wondering if they could have done as well. I felt stress watching... And finally, in the last video you did about no heat it looked like it had been a continuing problem with the plane. What was the cause and did you get it fixed right?

[@SpaceFrawg]

This video was a continuation of the last video (part two).

[@steelesmith9977]

this is simply amazing. professional work all around by controller and matt

[@stevenboyd5044]

Hats off to that controller. No panic, no drama....She earned her money that day, remember Matt isnt the only one on frequency...Find this girl and buy her the flowers of her choice.

[@wayne9638]

Matt is obviously very experienced and did a great job but personally Im a little more conservative with risks as stuff can and does go wrong and when it does the odds are not in your favour

[@terry1070]

Great video Matt, you’re a great pilot. I’m working on my commercial cert right now, love your videos

[@keithmashton]

I really appreciated how you were able to bring ATC's support into this flight - showing what a valuable resource these amazing professionals are, and the ability pilots have to work collaboratively with them to improve ADM in situations that require clear thinking. Great insights for those paying attention.

[@doncook2066]

I would personally never fly a single engine in weather like that. With that said Matt is a very good and confident pilot and knows what he is doing.

[@johndemerse9172]

Great work Matt. I wish more pilots would do what this video is all about. Cheers from CYYB.

[@stevecastro22]

There are no old bold pilots.....Well done Matt, excellent story!

[@MichaelSmith-df2mh]

That controller earned her money!

[@mikeblackford994]

WOW! Great job Matt

[@davegeorge7094]

What went wrong with cabin heat? Best safety is a credit card for the unplanned LZs, I like that tip. American Express saved a diver when other cards did not.

[@esmails]

way to stay composed man, awesome job 👏

[@sardave]

Great Job Matt and a fine educational video...

[@flysport_tedder]

when was this? I was dealing with "moderate to severe turbulence" in SLC on 3/14, they were giving us block altitudes and asking about injuries.

[@larryadams9935]

Curious. Were you oblivious to these possible conditions before you initially took off?

[@mattguthmiller]

I said in both videos we’d probably end up in Idaho Falls.

[@paultaylor9939]

Very well flown Matt thanks for sharing

[@salcirruspilot4998]

I'm confused, you had radar that showed a different picture, and probably more accurate. You deferred your weather decisions to a controller who is not flying, when you have on board and better weather tools. You also kept flying when you had lost heat instead of landing immediately, seems risky decisions all around.

[@igclapp]

Maybe he's not confident enough with his radar as yet and so is looking for a second opinion from ATC. If either one indicates a problem, he doesn't go that way. In other words, both his onboard information and ATC's info have to agree the way is safe.

[@nokoman85]

Let's see here, pneumatic, landing gear, and prop deice issues during this flight. Sounds like you need to get your aircraft into the maintenance hangar. My humble opinion, Signed, Active A&P Technician soon to retire....good luck, but your bird has issues.

[@clearjet]

I would never fly with this guy. As soon as you hear "Might as well" you are already screwed.

[@stevenboyd5044]

Matt... Cool Calm and collected. Ill be honest, this video should be used in training. How many times could it have gone wrong? Outstanding.

[@sebdiazs]

Did you descend 0 TRQ on weather ? 😮

[@chrisc161]

What an adventure. Thank you for sharing

[@sey1yes2]

yeah...well, I'm glad I wasn't on this flight. On the other hand, thanks for the video: I liked observing your minute by minute analysis and choices. And something that is not related directly to this flight, but your adventures in general: what does your mom think of all this?

[@jkrecek3]

Awesome stuff! Is the RNAV into 46U a custom/“private” approach? Not seeing anything for it on foreflight, airnav, skyvector etc

[@igclapp]

Yes, it's private.

[@NovackNGoode]

Pretty sure the TBM is the same as most boot fitted aircraft in that ice formation behind the boots is to be considered as SEVERE and that the autopilot should be disconnected and NOT used in severe icing conditions as it will mask the handling cues of severe ce build ups in non sighted areas especially the tail plane

[@roberthenry9319]

Bottom line: Should never have been in this situation. Bring 'er down and wait for however long it takes for flight conditions to clear. You think

[@ruairitiernan8727]

Awesome content, really enjoyed learning from this!!!!

[@triggerfish999]

I'm not a pilot but that looked hairy. Given the same circumstances/state of knowledge what would you do differently? Would you have flown?

[@devinhester1127]

Intense!

[@swiftadventurer]

weird how every time you queried control about an option, she understood that was what you intended to do and she followed it with instructions to follow. 🤨

[@judd_s5643]

I thought the same thing, he was requesting information so he could formulate a plan to be followed by a request to execute that plan. I’m sitting a couch and this was starting to pizz me off. Just answer my questions!! I’ll request a change.

[@mattguthmiller]

😂 it was also just really hard to get a clear description on where this weather was she was talking about or where she intended to take me to get around it

[@michaelfraser5723]

Nose wheel tells you to atop trying death valley.

[@scarter176]

Great work Matt good decision making

[@jamcguire100]

Controller says she would probably send you East around the weather, and then directs you to heading 350?

[@craftykoala]

Can fly on a northern heading and be east of an airport.

[@jamcguire100]

Yeah except shes talking about vectoring him east around the weather but then sends him North, and then West directly into it. Later in the video they repeat the conversation again and this time she sends him East and North out of it.

[@bernardgagnon6110]

Good job on that one

[@philipmcbride-pilotengineer]

Whew. Sending this to my IFR instructors at ERAU. Good lessons, both good and bad. I think I would have needed a change of shorts. :)

[@MicheIIePucca]

The intense focus on avoiding bad weather and icing throughout the path to each potential destination is amazing, and demonstrates your expertise and knowledge to make the right (safe) choices when unexpected variables are unavoidable.

[@wyflyguy114]

The thumbnail had me, and I didn’t even realize it was our video.

[@markeskenazi6245]

Great work in a stressful situation. Controller was very helpful as well.

[@CCitis]

I would have made that decision for Idaho Falls, and stuck with it. Why back and forth? Go to Idaho Falls and stick with it.

[@igclapp]

It's worth a try if your own bed and leftover pizza are waiting for you in Alpine. Automated weather and a report from the snow plow operator at the field both indicated a successful approach was possible.

[@Myrulv]

How was this experience for the passenger?

[@407-Driver]

Hi Matt, are you using the TBM for commercial ops??

[@Pilotc180]

With most pilots as age, experience and equipment move on we grow wiser; Im not sure that is true in your case sir

[@adamdobrzanski6631]

Why is this the 3rd video in a row that’s literally the same flight, sequences and scenarios? I think you botched the go/no go decision on this one

[@mattguthmiller]

Because it’s the same flight?…

[@hfc1968tube]

Botched the Alpine/Idaho Falls choice. Esp after the cont warned moderate precip 3 mi north of Alpine. Whoda thunk it would have closed in Alpine by arrival time?

[@johnqdoe]

Go watch a boring steveo video then. Otherwise, say thank you and close your mouth.

[@adamdobrzanski6631]

Why post the same flight 3 times?

[@jmcguire5151]

​@@adamdobrzanski6631 it's the same flight but didn't part of the flight. Why complain?

[@NovackNGoode]

Having pushed it so hard into icing I’d not be surprised if the nose gear doors where be g held shut by an ice bridge.

[@charleswithey8277]

I can relate completely I saw a cloud today and had to turn to get around it. Could have been catastrophic.

[@WarrenatCLS]

I don’t know, man. If all of that, would have seen that before takeoff. I would have either not gone, or stopped short. Way too many question, way too much stress. Cuddle up with girlfriend, stay warm somewhere until storm passed. 😆

[@gezac440]

For the most part you did good decission making, except for deciding to go back to Alpine. That is something that should almost never be done. Retired AA capt.

[@johnqdoe]

Probably the most real-world-entertaining GA video in a while. Haters are going to pick you apart on this one! Nice job well done with everything, including the CGI!

[@kurtisf3366]

I’m actually curious why you weren’t using the onboard weather radar to see the weather. To me at least it looked like you were really relying on the XM satellite feed and the controller’s descriptions. In a situation like you were in where you were trying to figure out the moderate precipitation locations I’d think you’d have the onboard radar fired up and requesting deviations rather than asking 20 questions with the controller when she clearly wasn’t understanding what you needed from her.

[@igclapp]

Maybe Matt was still learning to use the radar to its full capability. Also consider the radar is only looking forward. If Matt wants to check out a major deviation left or right (or even check if he still has an escape route behind him), the onboard radar is not going to be very helpful for that.

[@mattguthmiller]

We weren’t really painting anything more than light on either the onboard radar (not unusual for even fairly heavy snow because the flakes are much less reflective to radar than water droplets) nor the nexrad so most of it was just confusion about what she was talking about in the first place and where something heavier might be. That combined with the earlier unforecast reports of moderate to severe turbulence down in salt lake and heavy precipitation possibly meaning lots of ice, I wanted to avoid whatever she was showing anyway.