T-28 Pilot Report

 

             Flight:     803

               Date:     030601

   Flight Time:     1.9

               Pilot:     Tom Warner

     Controller:     Andy Detwiler

       Location:     Norman, OK (KOUN)

        Mission:     Research

 

Computer

Time

Video

Time

Comments

 

194230

Start

 

5252

Taxi, delay due to helmet comm problem

 

5434

Time check:

Computer time is +8 seconds from video time

Actual time is +5 seconds from actual time

Computer display is +3 seconds from actual time

 

200000

Takeoff

 

~0200

Instruments on, left turn to 090

0255

0247

FM on

0333

0325

FM off

 

0916

Precip from target storm, still below cloud base

 

1349

Cloud base 10,500 MSL to right of aircraft

 

1648

NO test on

 

1724

NO test off

 

1920

High blower

2230

 

In cloud, 17,000 MSL

 

2237

P-static

 

2249

Flash

 

2330

End p-static

 

2414

P-static

 

2420

End p-static

 

2429

P-static for 2 seconds

 

2710

Left turn to 180

 

3020

NO test on

 

3038

NO test off

 

3250

Finally remembered to turn in cloud light off

 

3335

170 / 17,000 MSL

3405

 

In cloud

 

3417

P-static

 

3434

Hail cleaned off ice

 

3445

Updraft

 

3503

P-static

 

3512

End p-static

 

3532

Out of cloud

 

3640

In cloud

 

3735

Hail, turbulence

 

3816

Out of cloud momentarily, right turn and begin climb to 18,000 MSL

 

3859

P-static

 

3915

End p-static

 

4018

Close flash

 

4036

Moderate turbulence

 

4134

Out of cloud, followed by left turn, ½ inch of ice

 

4222

In cloud, moderate turbulence, p-static

 

4310

Flash

 

4418

Out of cloud followed by left turn

 

4530

150 / 18,000 MSL

 

4540

In cloud

 

4550

P-static

 

4603

 End p-static

 

4705

Moderate turbulence

 

4727

2,000 fpm updraft

 

4740

Out of cloud, video field of view narrowed due to ice, ½ inch

 

4907

In cloud

 

4918

P-static

 

5011

End p-static

 

5018

2,000 fpm updraft

 

5021

Lightning strike to prop

 

5253

Out of cloud

 

5310

Descent to 10,000 MSL

 

5340

Cleared to 4,000 MSL

 

5540

Low blower

210307

 

NO test on

0319

 

NO test off

 

0600

Landing

 

NOTES

 

Weather

-        Elevated thunderstorms developed in the southern research area

-        These storms would develop, dissipate and a new storm would develop on the south/southeast flank

-        The initial target was a dying thunderstorm with bases at 12,000 MSL

o        It was outflow dominate with primarily ice particles and light turbulence

-        The second target was an actively developing thunderstorm that developed linearly to the east/northeast

o        This was a compact but vigorous storm with moderate turbulence and small hail

o        The aircraft accumulated approximately ½ inch of ice in about 15 minutes

o        There were approximately 4 lightning flashes with one striking the aircraft on the propeller

 

Maintenance

-        Prior to this flight, the oil cooler flow through door was modified to full open

o        This allowed for the cowl flaps to be closed to control cylinder head temperature without affecting oil temperature

o        Oil temperature again ran approximately 90 C throughout the flight

o        Cylinder head temperature ran approximately 150 C even with the cowl flaps closed down ¾

-        The GPS initially did not have power on startup

o        The anchor shaft that pulls the unit into the housing was not in the proper exit whole and therefore was not pulling the unit into the housing

o        Anchor shaft was repositioned and the unit worked normally

-        Evidence of the lightning strike was found on one of the propeller blades

o        A small metal burn with an associated metal pock mark was found on the edge of the propeller on the side opposite the direction of rotation

-        Need to increase the radio sidetone on radio 2

-        My helmet communication cords are failing

o        Flew with Tom Root's helmet and replace my helmet's comm cords with Tom Root's after the flight

 

Operations

-        Good coordination between Ops and Thor

-        Primarily lined up penetration runs visually with confirmation from Ops