Total Electrical Failure at NIGHT - Low time pilot - POV Flying

[@sorsorsor11]

Yep, it's 3AM and I'm watching a how-to for a plane in case of loss of electricity. Here we go again.

[@SzaboStudio]

sameeee hereee

[@killerjilk]

Better than doing homework thats for sure.

[@surfer4987]

6am. Gosh I must really hate programming

[@sebastiansantos1471]

lol 1:00 am

[@LiezerZero]

KZbin University can help you or hurt you.

[@stevenbender66]

He's going to be one of the best pilots ever. He reacted like a pilot with 6,000 hours, not 60. Cheers mates.

[@Aviation101]

This got me thinking... I'm gonna stick my handheld radio in my bag whenever I fly from now on.

[@hihello637]

MrAviation101 that’s a good idea I thank I’m getting one soon for my tranning not that far from solo I’m working on my PPL right now

[@infotechsailor]

Aviation pilot 101 , did you get to solo yet? Best of luck brother

[@davidkamerath6844]

You're telling me none of you carry a cell phone? I'd just call tower lol

[@davidkamerath7749]

001 002 if you’re a pilot, you already look boss

[@davidkamerath7749]

001 002 my point is people are overthinking the solution to this problem. You don’t need a handheld radio if you have a cell phone lol. Look up towers number and give them a call

[@lejink]

Imagine if the runway lights turned back on... That would mean another plane was coming in behind him and he'd have no radio to let them know there's a plane with no lights sitting in its way Scary stuff

[@redworior66]

There would be runway lights and they would see the plane and abort the landing.

[@corporate_flyerguy6708]

Ahmad ob Not necessarily. I don't know if you're a pilot or not, but at most uncontrolled airports the runway lights stay off, unless turned on by keying the mic 3 times in this case for night flying (Low Intensity). If there happens to be another aircraft behind him, he most likely wouldn't see him until he's right on top of them, even if he turned the runway lights back on. Also if these guys did see another aircraft coming in, they wouldn't be able to do a go around... like he said in the video "he has electric flaps, which are down", the you can't climb in a 172 with full flaps at 65 knots. So he'd probably just end up in the trees at the end of the runway.

[@Feuergraf]

Forget it. The only lights you can see well are the strobes. And with no power the strobes are off. He is on the centerline and belive me (I have a night flight qualification), only due to the runway lights, the centerline stays black. You only see the ground with your landing lights and then maybe its already too late. This is a very dangerous situation.

[@HillbillyonaYZ]

Big throttle and run it off the side of the runway. Probably be cheaper to pull it out of the mud the next day than paying for three funerals plus how ever many in the incoming plane that would hit them..

[@MqKosmos]

@Rubberboot the latest i usually turn on the loghts is 6 miles away. And im flying helicopters. For fixed wing thatd be short final. So id expect that aircraft to be 12miles out. Wprst case 8 mile final.. enought time to land and taxi off the runway.

[@Sirmellowman]

close to a emergency? you kidding man? thats a full on emergency 100%

[@RandomDan69]

He didn't want to scare his passengers.

[@Sirmellowman]

@@RandomDan69 You can't be scared if you're dead.

[@nicodaemos]

@@RandomDan69 He says "close to an emergency" when they're already safe on the ground. Why not be honest with them, unless he didn't realize how serious it was himself.

[@1450JackCade]

@@nicodaemos Guys, he had 60 hours, it was his FIRST night flight, and you are criticizing him for whatever you can think to find after he pulled it off, wtf is wrong with you? How are you so insecure that you need to act like baboons looking for a red spot on everyone's ass to pick at?

[@diganwhisky.uruguay]

you cant declare an emergency if the radios dont work :) :)

[@goblinkok]

Fantastic footage, I am impressed with how he put it down after the lights went out. beast mode.

[@cptairwolf]

He could likely see a lot more than the cheap camera recording the footage. Exposure is notoriously bad on those things. Still though it had to have been pretty nerve wracking.

[@antdx316]

I'd get a powerful flashlight outside the window w/ a throttle position prob set to like 15% for a good glide slope.

[@yeticusrex1661]

We are trained to look down the runway (even on daylight landings), so if the runway lights go out, you can still focus on a particular city light beyond the length of the runway to guide you, and if you keep your speed consistently just above stall speed, your landing should still be on the runway. Good job by the pilot.

[@deluxeassortment]

First flight without an instructor. First night flight. No electrical, no landing lights, no radio... How does this guy put his pants on with balls that big? Gotta be a struggle.

[@michaelbuckers]

And how does the airplane even takes off with such crippling balls of steel overweight?

[@pclinton95]

From this flight on, everything else will be a cake walk haha

[@timbrwolf1121]

A single prop carried those balls... Obviously the plane failed from being overworked.

[@tonyweaver2353]

The same way the wright bros took off and landed with no electricity.

[@timbrwolf1121]

@@tonyweaver2353 A bit different, but yeah. luckily the aircraft was mechanically controlled.

[@c.edwards1814]

Only 60 hours? I would've freaked-out, had everyone else screaming with me, and down we'd go! This guy is too cool for words.

[@rcbif101]

Happened with a newer pilot at my flight school. He couldn't cue the lights for the local non-towered fields or get anyone on cellphone. He ended up sneaking in and landing at a non-bust class C airport. They never saw him. As soon as he landed, he pulled off the runway and another small plane landed from the opposite direction and asked tower if they knew why there was a Cessna in the grass off the runway.

[@ZeroByteInFlight]

The whole time I was watching this, I was thinking to myself "those lights are going to go off on him on final. I bet those lights go off on final. What a hair-raising experience this was! A handheld is definitely going on my shopping list.

[@FlightChops]

I know right? I was thinking the same thing the first time I saw it and knew exactly how I'd write the voice over to help add context and share it further - thanks again to Steven for being willing to be "Flight Chopped" :)

[@GameArchiver]

Don't forget about the handheld Revolver incase the passenger turns into zombie.

[@knecht6974]

Dont forget the emergency shutgun incase the passangers get really really anyoing.

[@dBolotok]

pfft noobs. Just stick your pen through his eye into the brain.

[@jhonbards2218]

AirPlanes? Just throw a grenade like in the movies.

[@striker6240]

Is there such a thing as a non handheld revolver?

[@Tahydrahel]

@@striker6240 Ryszard Tobys from poland scaled up a Remington model 1859 to the point you carry it with two people and can not fire it handheld. ;)

[@Robjmar7]

Impressed how he kept his cool. Great pilot.

[@jayphilipwilliams]

Very cool headed. Good work by your buddy.

[@rocketman998]

"Thats pretty much close to an emergency" - Well done mate, good flying, not overthinking the situation, fly the plane.

[@alexlebowitz9395]

I'm not a pilot... yet. But that was amazing footage! I had no idea that some airports turn their runway lighting off. Some brilliant flying, and thank you for the video.

[@elllieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee]

Very powerful lighting that costs a lot of money to maintain.

[@rbousquet]

If you buy a handheld, don't forget to get the headset adapter because it's almost useless to hear anything in the cockpit through the handheld speaker. It will work ok to turn on lights though.

[@evandickson19]

Robert Bousquet even if you can’t hear at least you can tune into tower or CTAF and blab out what’s going on.

[@MrMarkguth]

Definitely on my shopping list

[@jamesdyer744]

Good information! Need to plug in

[@prometheus5500]

Thanks for this opportunity to work with you, flight chops! Perhaps we can do this again sometime (hopefully some calmer footage!) Keep making these great videos, and most of all, fly safe.

[@FlightChops]

Awesome - no problem... and for sure keep me in the loop if you get any other cool footage - I enjoyed your comm fail video is also a great one, but it pretty much stands on it's own with out needing to be "Flight Chopped" for added context.

[@peterellison2220]

3:12 Creepy to see the turn coordinator not moving in the turn... I'm so used to vacuum failures that i almost forgot the TC will go blank in an electrical failure! This story will always stick with me - thank you for sharing

[@radiopipi]

That's one good and calm pilot,very instructional,thank you as allways.

[@howardflies]

Well done, man he is calm!

[@FlightChops]

Howard Lau Yeah - I was very impressed when I saw the raw footage, so I was inspired to edit and share this one!

[@flyhigh8313x]

When I was taking my flight lessons I had two different failure that I got to learn form. My single light bulb that lights up the panel burnt out and so I couldn't see at all; Lesson learned, I now all ways have a headlamp on my head or in the pocket by my knee. Second issue I had was my voltage regulator burned out and so my entire electrical system started to over charge. I burned out my radios and my landing lights, I was lucky enough to have my hand held radio charged and accessible with a head set adapter so there were no issues.....except when I landed at night at a small airport that didn't have lit taxi ways...I went right off the taxi way in to the grass. Had to shut down push back on to the taxi way and keep going. Fun stuff!

[@FlightChops]

flyhigh8313x Thanks for sharing your story.

[@sonnyburnett8725]

All I can say is Very Nicely Done! I've been a pilot for almost fifty years and feel strongly that even simple things can do you in if handled poorly. He did such a great job and delegated his resources "passengers" which also kept them calm. I totally respect his decision to go ahead and land in the dark versus a G/A. Great job! I also agree with the idea of getting a handheld radio AND towers phone number in your cell. Never thought of that. Good idea and great video. Thanks for posting.

[@nickatrop]

Pilot for 50 years and never thought of backup methods to contact a tower?

[@lorencharnley9262]

@Laverne Johnson - perhaps - but they *just* closed and if someone was there it is possible they *might* answer an incoming call. It's not like towers get many incoming calls on their landlines. If he had programmed the number into his phone, he could have tasked the passenger to try it. That said - he handled this superbly and my comment is in no way a criticism. Just glad I have never had a nighttime electrical failure!!

[@stevecamden3072]

Wow short final was scary, I never thought of having a backup radio....Learned something new thanks

[@capt.danieldavidson6291]

Wow! What a cool pilot considering his low hours... Excellent job, man! You saved three lives by staying calm and that speaks volumes to me!

[@daveth121864]

Good lord. This is enough to make me stick to VFR daytime flying. Like, forever!

[@FlightChops]

+Dave Thompson I know, right? :P

[@daveth121864]

***** I was with him until they sucker punched him by turning off the runway lights. WOW.

[@AnimeSunglasses]

Automatic systems provided courtesy of Murphy's Law, LLC?

[@antdx316]

I'd get a powerful flashlight outside the window w/ a throttle position prob set to like 15% for a good glide slope.

[@Mike-01234]

I was reading about a flying club that only allowed VFR flying said hadn't had any accidents in 30 years so VFR only does lower risk.

[@davidheon5959]

ipad and handheld radio... now a requirement in my plane.

[@FlightChops]

David Heon yup!

[@floopy312]

don't forget the emergency light attached somewhere so u can turn it on quickly with the push of a button :D

[@atomicmrpelly]

What is the iPad for? Not a pilot at all, just curious.

[@MachoMostacho]

This explains is better than me.- buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/115856

[@Valhalla.Studio]

That's an awesome app, looks very useful.

[@MileHighClub211]

I always have my handheld device within a grabbing distance, strapped on my right thigh! You never know when an urgent situation such as this one may happen! I do applaud this pilot for handling that situation professionally, and without a sense of panic! That is certainly a frightening ordeal!

[@ZeroByteInFlight]

This video and your brush with VFR into IMC are definite must-watch videos. They clearly demonstrate in shocking clarity what it actually looks like to be in these situations, and will sober up any sane pilot.

[@ericjin3654]

I just discovered your videos a few days ago and I must say that I'm extremely impressed at both the production quality as well as your delivery of the content. I recently just started training for my PPL after a friend of me took me on a few flights. Your videos are great for a student pilot like me to get acquainted early on with all sorts of scenarios that I might face later in my training. Keep up the great work!

[@FlightChops]

Awesome! thanks for this great comment -I really appreciate the positive feedback.

[@TehMaliron]

Very well handled imho. First step, fly the plane! It can actually help calm a passenger down by giving them a task in an emergency situation, such as holding the flashlight, or watching an instrument like an untuned VOR (obviously not possible without power). Then he assessed the situation, made his plan to land on the field, and executed it. Very nicely done! I am just at 40 hours, and should have taken my check ride already, but it's been over a year since I was in the left seat. I really need to get my motivation and finish! Thanks for posting your videos, it's really helping me get the itch again. After getting my chops back in the sim, I need to get back on that horse!

[@FlightChops]

+Robert Reese Awesome! And yes you are correct about the "distract a passenger" trick. I actually made a video about passenger management and that is one of the tips I share.

[@lvsluggo007]

He had some serious luck there.. Had he been a minute or so later, the lights would have gone off before he was on short final, and then good luck charlie in seeing the runway..

[@timothystockman7533]

Many years ago, I was on an IFR flight into Fort Wayne in a Piper Archer. Just as I went into the top of the clouds, the panel lights went out. I reached up and cranked up the overhead cabin light, and with that, I could see the instruments OK and continued my descent, however the passenger in the right seat started checking out the breaker panel. Not wanting him to inadvertently hit a breaker that would screw us up, I told him that I had the electrical situation under control, but that it would really help if watched out the front window and told me the instant he could see the runway. It was about 500 overcast, so he was occupied looking for the runway almost right up to the end.

[@michaelb.8953]

Robert Now that's it's been over a year since you left this comment I have to ask, did you get back on that horse and knock the rust off and take that check ride?

[@alexaayala8371]

Had the runway lights go out on me on short final the other day. Keying the com wouldnt bring em back up for me but the landing lights were enough to see the runway. I would definitely have been tempted to go around if I didn't have those on board lights. Mad props to this dude.

[@joedejesus6363]

He remained cool and didn't panic, having a measure of confidence in this situation really helped my hats off to this gentleman.

[@Video-tipsTv]

WOW.... Runway lights goe's on final.... and no electric system.... cool pilot! too many pilots would have panic...

[@Nicholas-ob5eh]

Yes.. totally wrong

[@konanoobiemaster]

i think i pissed myself just watching

[@matejfele9971]

No, if anything you get even more focused.

[@Blakefulable]

Why do you type like a fucking spastic? "goe's".... fucking learn some real words you melt.

[@eta10tp1]

you shouldn't be a pilot if you can't handle emergencys calmly.

[@mmichaeldonavon]

That was "some kind of cool" exercised there!! Having flown over 30 years, I don't know if I could have done as good as he did. Nerves of steel - gotta be! :) As you can see, "Murphy" is alive and well! Thanks, N-6395T

[@FlightChops]

Michael Donavon Thanks Michael, and yes, I'm appreciative that Stephen shared this footage and collaborated to help me me edit a video about it.

[@flat_stickproductions209]

+FlightChops When those lights went off and the screen was total black I got the gut sink feeling. Screaming go around in my head.

[@mmichaeldonavon]

***** I watched the video again, and let me say this: Stephen's performance, under extreme pressure, at around 60 hours of flight time, is nothing less than phenomenal! Wow! He said that it was, "Pretty close to an emergency..." Pretty close? In my little 1,000 hr book, it WAS an emergency. Thanks,

[@grgman2955]

As they say, "Murphy was an optimist". Good job!

[@mentises]

Another great video. Thanks so much for sharing. I always learn so much from your videos. I don't know how you get them, but you are becoming a real helpful presence in the aviation world.

[@facebook2k7]

Bravo! Can't believe he only has 60 hrs. I panicked just by watching when the runway lights shuts off. I wonder how many handheld radio this video helped sell.

[@nicompton]

A major "oh f***!" moment that was very well handled. Great video FC!

[@haroldfrancis708]

I't amazing how calm you were! That shows you're a real professional. If I was passenger and there was an emergency, I'd want you as a pilot! Good job!

[@flat_stickproductions209]

+Harold Francis I like how he said "we almost had an emergency there" at the end. What are you talking about my hair is on fire just watching.

[@robinfocon]

Awesome walk through. I'm amazed how calm he was the entire emergency. Even on the ground he says that it was close to an emergency. I'd vote that losing electrical and runway lights without the ability to key a mic to enable runway lights would be an emergency.

[@FlightChops]

Robert Smith Yeah - I think he was sort of in shock - agreed that it was an actual emergency.

[@joemilich]

I'm thinking about growing out some chops for myself. I'm so glad that you are able to share these videos. I almost feel like a seasoned veteran pilot just watching all of your videos. I will be going to ground school here very shortly, it would be really cool if you were a CFI over here in Washington state. You explain things so well. Please keep these videos going.

[@FlightChops]

Thanks! Glad you like the videos! But I'm a long way from being qualified as an instructor :)

[@westtexasaviator6763]

I've had a hand held radio ever since I was a kid. I used it to listen to radio traffic long before I started flight training which really helped get me familiar with the lingo. Now that I fly, I keep it in the side pocket of the flight bag. In either instance, it's a great tool to have!

[@manriquemata1650]

Excellent video. I love how every-time I watch one of your videos I not only learn something I either did not know before or hadn't been fully aware of, but I also keep adding things to my list of must have equipment. Today: Red-light flashlight, strong white light flashlight, extra radio. Thanks man!

[@prometheus5500]

Grab some combo lights, with one of them being head-mounted! After this, I quickly picked up a head mounted light with red and white.

[@FlightChops]

Good stuff guys! I have a combo light that hangs around my neck with a bendy sort of arm... hard to explain but search "hug light" and you'll find it. I also have 2 others as back up with in easy reach.

[@jacksonsmith4648]

I just realized what you did with the song at 5:13. That's probably the funniest thing I've seen all day.

[@FlightChops]

+Jackson Smith :)

[@ellenorbjornsdottir1166]

????

[@jacksonsmith4648]

Ellenor Malik He inverted the Top Gun theme. Compare the two and you'll notice it.

[@BobThomason-rht]

Interesting video. I've been in the same situation in a light twin. This was in the mid '80s and I did not have a hand held transceiver either. In my case, we crash landed about 100 ft. short of the runway. Thankfully no one was seriously hurt, however, the plane was totaled. I would highly recommend a handheld radio for any pilot especially at nite.

[@dustyomeara5070]

Kid’s got some steel nerves. I like it.

[@JonHeckendorf]

These are the kinds of flight videos I watch and learn from, so, I am amazed that this is the first time I watched this. Just another reminder to me why I carry a handheld and it even has ILS. My phone with AVARE does the rest for backup. Time under your seat is not as important as staying calm while taking care of business at hand, flying the aircraft. I ALWAYS have my backups ready and willing for the just in case events. Thinking ahead saves lives like my own. Great job and thanks for sharing. More than likely you have saved a few lives by making and posting this video. Flying into rural airports at night, you wont have the black hole to help you. It all might turn into a black hole.

[@oncenterline]

This is a best case scenario landing if I ever saw one. He was well withing the vicinity of an airport that was lit during the most important moments - other than just before touch down, but he did a great job of flying the plane and not allowing his emotions to distract him. He stayed calm, appeared to do some troubleshooting, had passengers assist him, kept the pax busy so they weren't panicking, and he got the plane down in one piece without injury or property damage. Very nice job!! Very nice for such a low time pilot too! Great video too! I love it!! It's a fear of mine. Of course my biggest fear is losing engine power at night - with or without pax. ;)

[@hgbugalou]

That could have gotten bad in a hurry. Way to stay calm and collected.

[@randomlyentertaining8287]

If my pilot friend came to me and was like "Yeah bro, come fly with me. It's only my first night flight without my instructor." I'd be like "Bruh, get some experience then come ask me." XD

[@AndrewCoonfield]

Thank you guys for sharing this! I have an old air radio I will keep up to date with frequencies of the local traffic. Amazing footage and natural aeronautical ability. Kudos.

[@dr.pastrami5272]

My man stayed cool calm and collected. If anyone deserves to wear the scarf its this badass. Thx for sharing.

[@wesley2226]

My father and I both have our PPL's. This happened to him on final as well with 3 non-pilot friends. He handled it well as did this guy!

[@ormandhunter3546]

This happened to me first flight out of annual. No mic to click the runway lights, no landing lights. The only lights were the blue marker lights on the sides of the runway. Pitch black night no moon! Upon investigation, the A&P properly connect the line to the alternator, so when it came loose and the battery drained I lost all power. I kept my cool and landed the plane safely, thank God! The conversation with the A&P was so calm!

[@DaveSender66]

Great video thank you for posting. Good job by the pilot !! I will definitely be purchasing a handheld and use it day and night. This video is a real wake up call.

[@iflyhelis]

He really excelled in his real life in flight electrical issue! Next time have your hand-held in reach. He was cool, calm, & collected. + pissed it happened. I don't blame him one bit for being pissed, I would have been very upset myself if it happened to me. Thanks for sharing this very informative video!

[@cornflake73]

that is scary stuff. I can't offer a critique other than he did a great job of landing safely. Yes, he could have maybe done some other things but he did what he felt he had to. I would like to say that seeing this happen clearly points to preparedness is your friend.

[@blainepittman7607]

Crazy I stumbled upon this on your channel. I went to High School with Steven. Love the channel and your videos!

[@tonyfdesign]

Steve, great video. I have a handheld and I learned the other day the plane I fly has a connection to attach it to an externally mounted antenna. Perfect. Thanks for sharing. PS: I passed my instrument check ride yesterday!

[@FlightChops]

Thanks, and Congrats on the instrument check ride! That's awesome! I've been distracted from IFR training for several reasons... But I can't complain - I am having a pretty great flying season right now :)

[@Windtee]

Congrats on your new rating, Tony! Here's to an overcast sky and low vis. Keep the needles centered!

[@randyporter3491]

Great video, with some very valuable lessons. The pilot didn't panic and I agree that visibility was most likely much better than the camera shows. I had this situation exactly, EXCEPT my failure happened in daylight. Big difference. Again, great video, thanks for sharing !

[@AstroJR83]

Real nice done! Great work from the pilot..calm and awesome!

[@EightiesTV]

Had a landing light take out EVERYTHING 10 miles out on a night flight, '77 172. All breakers stayed in. Had the good sense to TURN THE LANDING LIGHT SWITCH OFF then rock the master and alt switches a few times and everything came to life. There is a contactor similar to a starter solenoid that engages the battery into the electrical circuit and a short can burn the contact (that's what that click is you hear in the engine compartment when you flip the master). Rocking the switch will slam the contacts closed a few times and make contact again. It helps to understand your systems. Tried it on the ground later and it popped the LL breaker. Straws can break the camel's back.

[@Suffer92]

Good afternoon Sir. I really like what you're doing on your channel. I shared the link to this video on my ATPL Theory page on Facebook. Keep up the good work!

[@FlightChops]

Ferdi Colijn Awesome thanks! Send me the link to your FM page, I'd like to check it out.

[@unplug7776]

This is why my instructor taught me how to land without a landing light. Normally it would be stupid reckless and dangerous to land without one. However when you know that you are having electrical issues you want to stretch that battery life for the most essential electronic devices. In this case landing and a airport with lighting controlled by the pilot the radio is far more important than the landing light. He handled it well however and I'm glad he made it to the ground safely. Just keep in mind most aircraft batteries even when only running essential equipment will only last 15 minutes if your lucky turning on high drain equipment such as a landing light will make that more like 5 minutes.

[@mhoeltken]

Hi. He wouldn't necessarily have to explain one of his passengers how to operate the handheld radio. He just could have flown another circuit and operated it by himself, once a passenger handed him the radio. The Cessna is a stable enough aircraft to do so, even with flaps extended. But nonetheless, it's a well managed situation and another proof, that a pilot with fresh training is probably safer than a pilot collecting hours over decades on the same burger runs :-)

[@danmclaughlin1180]

Malte Holtken, he landed without the need of the handheld so I don't understand what your bitching is about.

[@imaginerus]

Dan McLaughlin "But nonetheless, it's a well managed situation" - yeah, so much bitching, incredible!

[@davideames10]

This pilot did a great job! My first solo flight in my T210N was daytime at KAPA. Super busy airport. When I put the gear up, total electrical failure. Got to pump the gear down by hand, returned to the runway. An alert controller cleared it when he saw my transponder go out. I carry a handheld now.

[@ScottWoodland]

This was an excellent teaching video. I was fortunate enough to have an instructor who believed in "tough" spot training, including make me land with out landing light on an unlit runway, using the navlights to help light things up (strobes would be great too) but never with no lights at all. The sounds as he lost electrical in this video reminded me of flying a buddies Cherokee with a short, we didn't lose electrical but it was noisy and we did pull out his hand-held (need to get one of those too). In the middle of all that, yes at night, we lost the vacuum. Fun times :) Thanks for sharing this, made me think some more about tools to carry and some additional briefing to do with passengers.

[@FlightChops]

Awesome thanks - and glad it inspired some reflection -that is the hope with most of my videos - and thanks again to Steven for initially sharing it.

[@UOttawaScotty]

This is a very interesting video, way to stay calm, electrical problems freak me out because for something like this to happen, something would have to short out pretty badly

[@ICMoore-to8wo]

Well, I think we just witnessed the birth of a true aviator! By the way If you ever get tired of flying...check out a career in neurosurgery.

[@PaulA-zp7hn]

Amazing, and he's not too shaken by it either. I can only hope that I am this calm if I ever get into similar trouble. Well done!

[@hockeyrapido]

Amazing video again!

[@jcldano]

I'm a student pilot myself in the Houston area, and just tonight completed all night flight requirements. Early on, I bought a hand-held radio, figuring it was money very well spent. I use it before every flight to make sure it's working and the batteries are good. I keep it in an external pocket in my flight bag, readily accessible at all times. Almost had to use it recently when we lost *nearly* all battery power when taxiing after a night landing. And get this...the engine quit at that same time. We just barely had enough battery to talk to the tower and get help. I'm still trying to wrap my head around how we got snake bit with 2 problems at the same moment. Kudos to this pilot for maintaining calm and getting 'er down safely. VERY well done!

[@FlightChops]

John L Right on! and agreed - Steven owned it on this flight!

[@treylem3]

Well done to the pilot. Another great learning vid. Thanks Flight Chops

[@TheRealRoch108]

Damn! I just ordered a handheld!! Thanks for the great content

[@maltreatedpony]

well done to him! and a good analysis!

[@patrickellis1151]

Nice flying dude!

[@andysim232]

great high quality vids. Thanks!

[@codmott286]

what a damn boss, good job keeping your cool buddy.

[@bonan960623]

This is actually something I have practiced as part of my PPL - landing on a dark runway without landing lights, ILS or anything. A great experience to have in case this would happen to me!

[@cherifbar]

Excellently handled! I think there is a future in aviation for this man!

[@jdshaw83]

Great video! I've got my PPL with about 75 hours. About 60 hours in, I had an alternator failure. I was close enough to the field, so I just turned around and went back in. But this video will definitely push me to go ahead and get that handheld. Also, I make sure to fly at night with an LED headlamp with a red option. Best hands free operation!

[@FlightChops]

Jordan Shaw Cool yes, I use an LED "hug light" which hangs around the back of my neck.

[@TheSinisterMinister666]

Just in time, brother! Well done!

[@IACaptainKen]

Great video Steven. Good job of landing in the dark and it was the best decision to make. I don't fly at night but if I did I would defiantly have some clip-on lights attached to my cap and my handheld within reach. Congratulations on a job well done!

[@ymanganelli]

First thing I did after getting my private pilot kit back in 2006, was getting an iCOM VHF radio. You made a good point, Radio’s must be kept charged prior flight, checked, and more than often use to scan radio frequencies. A radio is useless if battery is dead, and you are unfamiliar with it.

[@alejandrogodoy4696]

ANOTHER GREAT LESSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK U!!!!!!!!

[@mpccenturion]

My grandfather said that night flying was the most demanding. He was in a Camel, 1918. Thank you. I may not fly, but I sure enjoy looking over your shoulder.

[@toddbravofoxppool6197]

I had alternator failure and lost electricity in daylight at 60 hours....landed without flaps and almost pissed my pants!! This kid is amazing! Great video.

[@klackers]

Cool video man! Thanks for sharing!

[@MisterItchy]

Wow! Great job to that pilot! Thanks for sharing.

[@jonathans8880]

When I was first thinking about this scenario it definitely seems bad, but when you think deeper.... it could easily have been the beginning of NTSB findings after you're a smoking pile of rubble. Consider he had flew a longer cross country and may only have a half hour/1 hour reserve left. If he wasn't able to make that first landing, a go around would have been really sketchy. After that you pretty much have no other choice but to divert or wait for someone else to turn the lights on. I personally would whip out that sectional and find the nearest towered field. In that process of diverting... you have full flaps down significantly reducing your cruise speed and increasing fuel consumption. All while at night. Seriously well done, amazing decision making.

[@BiggieTSkinny]

Kudos to him, got lucky to be so close to the runway when those lights shut off. I think had this happened to me, my mind would start thinking electrical fire right away. Glad that was not the case. On my PA28-140 back in the day, my landing light crapped out on my first night cross country (with an instructor). Thankfully I had a powerful spotlight that my instructor was able to stick out the window and shine forwards at our small non-towered, non-lit airfield.

[@GregoryGuerrier]

Wow! Great work Steven! 🏆

[@honorharrington4546]

What I learned from this is if you have a manageable emergency like this with a damaged electrical system and some things are still working, don't make things worse by adding major electrical loads... like landing lights. Focus on flying the plane until landed.

[@catmar1944]

Good call glad it turned out good. Congratulations for making some good choices.

[@kevoman4980]

Great job Steve!!

[@89BlackGatomon]

What a Nightmare... respect

[@carloscruz7317]

Well done!

[@supra19851]

Man kudos to him and how he handled the situation and remained calm the entire time.

[@edadan]

I haven't flown for over 20 years, but I always carried a hand held radio for this very reason. Also, if I was flying alone, I always made sure the backup radio was within easy reach.

[@Hands4Surgery]

Awsome videos. Thanks for sharing. Great teaching points. I think that It's a good idea to do a brief passenger brief, just because somebody freaking out unecessarily will add stress and distraction to an already tense situation. #2 calm passengers are more helpful than panicky ones, so if they know all is under control, they are more likely to comply with instructions timely, such as "get that bag in the back and find a radio with a big antenna and turn it on"

[@flyingmac2114]

I've had to do that. It wasn't easy. Well done by a low houred pilot.