Career question after accident.

[Steve]

Just wondering how regionals look at accidents or incidents not labeled pilot error. i.e. mechancial failure. This accident for example http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20040708X00923&key=1

Does the pilot of this plane have a chance at a airline or charter job if it turns out the engine quite cause of fouled plugs or mechanical failure? And no, i wasn't the pilot. This accident just got me thinking.....

 

[Tooslow]

Probably will be OK, as long the FAA concluded it was mechanical.

 

[Lead Sled]

Just wondering how regionals look at accidents or incidents not labeled pilot error. i.e. mechancial failure. This accident for example http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20040708X00923&key=1

Does the pilot of this plane have a chance at a airline or charter job if it turns out the engine quite cause of fouled plugs or mechanical failure? And no, i wasn't the pilot. This accident just got me thinking.....

I actually had an engine failure that resulted in an off-field landing in a Cessna 172. I was fortunate, it resulted in no damage to the airplane and no injuries to the occupants. In subsequent interviews it was treated counted as a positive - "Hey, I guess he knows how to handle one of those..."

That was 20 years ago. In the years since then, I've had the opportunity to interview and hire a few pilots. Personally, I look upon instances where a pilot was dealt an emergency or abnormal situation and successfully extracated himself as a "good thing". (There is a big difference between an unexpected engine failure and a carefully choreographed training exercise.) What is not looked upon favorably are those emergency/abnormal situations that were "self-inflicted" if you know what I mean.

In the case of the example you provided - I think the pilot showed good judgement by putting it in the water. As far as I'm concerned, he deserves an "Attaboy".

'Sled

 

[Knob]

I had an engine failure in a Mooney M20J and landed off airport- the #3 connecting rod penetrated the case after the main bearing spun & shut off the supply of oil to the crankshaft. It happened in the mountains in NM. During my first airline interview, the first thing they asked me is "How much single engine mountain flying do you do these days?" -I got the job. My next interview they wanted to know all about the accident also-I have to bring the final report of what happened to every interview. I got that job too. They just want to see that its not pilot error.

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20001212X21447&key=1

It becomes part of the resume!