Don't Pull The Red Knob!

By John Campbell 

January 10 - Due to a variety of reasons, I have not been out to the airport in a while. It seems that sometimes stuff somehow just sneaks up on you and gets in the way of flying.  An 8-5 job, family activities, lawn work and lots of other stuff else can limit my precious time to either hang around the airport or pull the plane out of that hanger. A quick review of my logbook indicates 2 weeks have passed since my last flight around the patch. Further family obligations, the short trip to Florida and poor weather has all contributed to my lack of airtime. However, today we had good weather and I had nothing better to do so I headed for the airport.   

A routine flight just around the countryside with no particular place to go was my plan.  Takeoff, just cruising, and return to the airport was noted as planned until I returned to the pattern for a routine landing at the airport. 

 I make a concerned effort to use the checklist for my flight operations and today was not unusual. As I pulled out the checklist out of the side panel pocket, I began my normal sequence as I entered the downwind for landing. Reading off the items in sequence, I commenced to proceed with each requirement. Touching each item as I read the checklist and visually confirm the appropriate action to be taken.  Fuel tank, mixture rich, carb heat and airspeed in the white arc before 10 degrees of flaps are all well-established procedures. The use of the checklist only helps me with this pre-landing routine so nothing is over looked.  All pretty much standard operation for most of us well seasoned pilots.  However, mid field in downwind as I called “carb heat” my hand reached over and I inadvertently pulled the red mixture knob. There is a reason that knob is red. As you pilots well know, pulling this knob will result in a sudden loss of fuel creating, life threatening engine gurgling noises.  As the engine gasped for life I quickly glanced over and saw the red knob pulled out from the panel. I quickly pushed the red mixture knob back in and the engine came back to its normal life. I breathed a quick sigh of relieve as the engine recovered and I rechecked the checklist and started my sequence all over again. Even while attending to the pre-loading checklist I pulled the dreaded mixture control to the point of fuel starvation 1000-ft AGL on downwind.  

I have done this several times in flying career and each time brings the back the same startled reaction.  Each time I perform this, most basic of mistakes I chastise myself for ignorance and vow never to do it again. Attend to the details in this flying game and it will save your bacon.  

 Use of a checklist in flight procedures is basic operating procedure well taught in basic flight training.  Unfortunately, safety experts indicate that failure to use a checklist or inconsistent use is one of the most common reasons for aircraft accidents 

I learned along time ago there is a reason why that knob is red. Now, I relearned it one more time.  Keep flying safely and watch your checklist.