Cockpit video shows plane crash in Pearland, Texas

A 1973 Grumman was forced to make an emergency landing when its electrical system failed near Houston. Then it crashed into another plane, causing extensive damage.

"First the headsets went out, then the radio, then the avionics (navigation)," Read Flake said. "We knew we had to get down quickly."

[SquawkCode]

He had 1200 RPM, Airspeed was crazy high, an unoccupied taxiway and miles of grass, so he decided to take out the only person in sight. He should never fly again!

[meatpopsicle]

This is the same guy who suddenly cuts across four lanes of traffic so he won't miss his exit, probably.

[apexclip]

This has to be the poorest judgement and lack of airmanship I have ever witnessed. The FAA must revoke this fools license permanently.

[doctorfiber]

As a former CFII, this guy should never ever be allowed to fly again.

[jiyushugi]

All he had to do was land on the grass or on the taxiway, or simply go around and try again. The ignition system on his plane doesn't require an electrical system to work, it's a magneto ignition.
So many people flying around up there are just accidents looking for a place to happen.

[wbay]

As a pilot, this is one of the poorest displays of pilot skill I’ve ever witnessed. There is ZERO reason this pilot couldn’t have done a go-around and landed at a safer time.

[sonoftherepublic]

This electrical system failure did not constitute an emergency that required a panicked landing scenario which resulted in this incident and that could have easily caused multiple fatalities. The aircraft had a good working engine and all pertinent flight instruments to continue flight to safely land - the only thing missing was good aeronautical decision making…

[josephroberts]

Ram the back of another airplane and you say, “sorry”. That right there is someone that has no business flying an airplane, or driving a car for that matter.

[AlanpittsSb]

There is so many poor choices being made in this video

[pjford]

If he had remembered that a plane steers by rudder pedals, or that his plane doesn't need the electrical system except for IFR flights none of this would have happened

[seaswirl]

There's ALL kinds of things wrong here. Yes I'm a pilot. An electical failure isn't a reason for an emergency landing as the engine runs on magnetos. Also, with the other craft on the runway, he sould have chosen the grass instead of the active runway WHERE ANOTHER PLANE WAS. I've had engine failures and electrical failures. It's nothing to get excited about.

[richardbeals]

The airplane wasnt "forced" to make an emergency landing. Yes, the electrical system failed but that does not stop the engine from running, it has its own completely independent ignition system that does not rely at all on the rest of the electrical system. The pilot made numerous errors and essentially chose to fly into the back of another airplane rather than use common sense to evaluate much better options.

[mline]

For anyone thinking he should have landed on the grass etc. please understand that an electrical failure is not an emergency that requires an immediate landing.

[danielgregory]

Only takes one idiot to total out two perfectly good aircraft...😮😢

[perthaviationproductions]

This collision was totally avoidable. Pilot had no excuses, complete lack of judgement. As a pilot myself, the appropriate way to manage this situation would’ve been to initiate a go around, Squawk 7600 on transponder, establish the aircraft in the circuit, advise ATC of an electrical failure and then wait for the light gun signals from the tower. You’re still able to land without flaps and still manage the aircraft perfectly fine. I’ve performed many go arounds and flapless landings.

[DALGOENT]

Most relevant questions were asked and answered immediately. “We’re all good?!…. Then we’re good”!!!

[STELLARMIGHTY]

Me on Microsoft Flight Simulation after 2 hours of practice

[hillcrinton]

His Pilot license and Driver's should be REVOKED...

[ge]

The Post-It note read "Don't fly this plane"

[nickstavrosvisuals]

Losing your electrical system does not mean you don’t have the engine power to go around. Your alternator is what’s keeping charge, therefore you could’ve easily gone around and avoided this whole entire thing.