AOPA Never Again
Education & Explainer
About
AOPA presents the "Never Again" series in AOPA Pilot magazine and online to allow pilots to learn from the experiences of others.
Episodes
- Approaching On Fumes (May 2026)
In this episode of "Never Again," a routine hop turns into a razor-thin margin for error. When unforecast fog rolls in and both departure and destination go below minimums, a young fighter pilot finds himself trapped between worsening weat…
- Unavoidable Carb Ice (April 2026)
In this episode of “Never Again,” a weekend cross-country in a modified Cessna 172 turns into a fight to keep the engine alive. When the rough-running engine begins to lose power during descent, a Navy pilot and his passengers cycle throug…
- Expect The Unexpected (March 2026)
When you’re flying IFR, communication isn’t just important—it’s everything. But what happens when that lifeline suddenly goes quiet?
- Just Say No (Go) (February 2026)
Dark clouds. A loaded helicopter. And a captain determined to go—no matter the cost. In this episode of “Never Again”, a hop across New York City turns into a white-knuckle fight against weather, pressure, and cockpit authority. As thunder…
- Owning Up to Inadvertent IMC Entry (January 2026)
In this episode of “Never Again,” a sunny VFR flight in a Cessna 172 slowly unravels as weather closes in over Montana’s empty quarter. With clouds above and below, no radio contact, and rising terrain ahead, a private pilot finds himself…
- Running Out of Options (December 2025)
In this episode of “Never Again,” a young instrument-rated pilot sets out for a cozy Thanksgiving with family only to find himself racing a fast-moving winter system across the Midwest. But when one airport after another unexpectedly close…
- No Such Thing As A Little Ice (November 2025)
In this episode of “Never Again” , a regional airline captain takes off from Cordova, Alaska, expecting just another routine hop in his Beechcraft 1900. But as the aircraft climbs into the clouds, ice begins to build—and keeps building. Wi…
- Rushing To Get Airborne (October 2025)
In this episode of “Never Again,” a Cessna test pilot jumps at the chance to fly the very first production model of a brand-new twin. But in his rush to get airborne, he skips the weather briefing—and soon finds himself facing both a fast-…
- Letting Go to Live (September 2025)
In this episode of “Never Again,” a student glider pilot faces her first solo in the unpredictable winds of Colorado’s Front Range. What began as a calm winter morning quickly spiraled into a test of skill, instinct, and resilience.
- Respect Every Flight (August 2025)
In this episode of “Never Again”, a pilot recounts a humbling experience that highlights the dangers of complacency in aviation — even on a short, familiar flight.
- The Reset Button (July 2025)
In this episode of “Never Again”, a distraction and get-there-itis combine to create a near-miss for a Skyhawk pilot under pressure.
- Dual Turbo Failure (June 2025)
In this episode of “Never Again,” a routine flight from Montana to Washington turns treacherous when a pilot experiences a sudden engine failure after encountering severe icing conditions.
- Takeoffs are Optional (May 2025)
In this episode of "Never Again", pilot James Ott recounts a harrowing near-disaster during a short takeoff from a challenging airstrip. With just 120 hours of flying experience, Ott experiences a critical engine failure at 60 feet of alti…
- Spring Break to Remember (April 2025)
In this "Never Again" episode, a 21-year-old instrument rated multi-engine commercial pilot shares his harrowing experience of a sudden engine failure during a spring break trip from Kansas to Florida in a Cessna 182. Just three miles from…
- The Hard Yards (March 2025)
For questions or comments about this podcast, email podcasts@aopa.org Send us your Never Again and we may publish it in an issue of AOPA Pilot and share it on this podcast. Email pilot@aopa.org.
- Flying Blind (February 2025)
For questions or comments about this podcast, email podcasts@aopa.org Send us your Never Again and we may publish it in an issue of AOPA Pilot and share it on this podcast. Email pilot@aopa.org.
- Two Useless Engines (January 2024)
For questions or comments about this podcast, email podcasts@aopa.org Send us your Never Again and we may publish it in an issue of AOPA Pilot and share it on this podcast. Email pilot@aopa.org.
- Sucker Hole (December 2024)
For questions or comments about this podcast, email podcasts@aopa.org Send us your Never Again and we may publish it in an issue of AOPA Pilot and share it on this podcast. Email pilot@aopa.org.
- Only Fool in the Sky (November 2024)
For questions or comments about this podcast, email podcasts@aopa.org Send us your Never Again and we may publish it in an issue of AOPA Pilot and share it on this podcast. Email pilot@aopa.org.
- Don't Throttle the Throttle (October 2024)
For questions or comments about this podcast, email podcasts@aopa.org Send us your Never Again and we may publish it in an issue of AOPA Pilot and share it on this podcast. Email pilot@aopa.org.
- Oh, What a Beautiful Morning (September 2024)
For questions or comments about this podcast, email podcasts@aopa.org Send us your Never Again and we may publish it in an issue of AOPA Pilot and share it on this podcast. Email pilot@aopa.org.
- Trying to Find a Pasture (August 2024)
For questions or comments about this podcast, email podcasts@aopa.org Send us your Never Again and we may publish it in an issue of AOPA Pilot and share it on this podcast. Email pilot@aopa.org.
- Snow Job (July 2024)
Apologies for the long delay, but we are back up and running. Podcasts will be released weekly until we are back up to date. For questions or comments about this podcast, email podcasts@aopa.org Send us your Never Again and we may publish…
- No Big Deal (June 2024)
For questions or comments about this podcast, email jill.tallman@aopa.org Send us your Never Again and we may publish it in an issue of AOPA Pilot and share it on this podcast. Email pilot@aopa.org.
- Playing the Odds (May 2024)
For questions or comments about this podcast, email jill.tallman@aopa.org Send us your Never Again and we may publish it in an issue of AOPA Pilot and share it on this podcast. Email pilot@aopa.org.
- Finding an Open Space (April 2024)
- Scud Running the Hudson (March 2024)
If lights, landmarks, and even buildings disappear and then reappear, you might be scud running. (By Ben Moses) For questions or comments about this podcast, email jill.tallman@aopa.org Send us your Never Again and we may publish it in an…
- Warbird Woes (February 2024)
The trials, tribulations, and dangers of owning a warbird. (By Robert Nielsen)
- On Human Factors (January 2024)
Hard decisions must be made when it comes to contradicting your instructor. Who's really in charge? (By Greg Faris) For questions or comments about this podcast, email jill.tallman@aopa.org Send us your Never Again and we may publish it in…
- Plume, Fume, or Doom? (December 2023)
The dangers and flying in and around smoke. (By Laurel Johnson) For questions or comments about this podcast, email jill.tallman@aopa.org Send us your Never Again and we may publish it in an issue of AOPA Pilot and share it on this podcast…
- Get Me Home Clarence (November 2023)
A Grumman pilot neglects a checklist item and nearly pays a heavy price. By Bob Lamberton.
- Rock Collector (October 2023)
A student pilot learns whose job it is to preflight the airplane. (By William Satterburg) For questions or comments about this podcast, email jill.tallman@aopa.org Send us your Never Again and we may publish it in an issue of AOPA Pilot an…
- Checklist Discpline (September 2023)
An overheated iPad, an unfamiliar aircraft, a missed checklist item, and convective weather at the destination airport. Sounds like a chain of events. Find out how quick decision making saved the day--but not the stomach contents--of a Kin…
- Tip Vortex (August 2023)
A pilot directly experiences wingtip vortices, and they're frightening. Find out what happens. (By Jim Gardner)
- Into the Soup (July 2023)
If you decide to fly IFR, be sure you'll fully briefed, including terminal procedures. One pilot learned this in a rather startling way. (By Rod Callison)
- Cloud Cover (June 2023)
Unforecast IMC: It can happen at any time and come from anywhere--like over the ridge of that mountain we're rapidly approaching. What would you do? (By Larry Landau)
- Trading Places (May 2023)
Three missed approaches. And where are we? See if you can be the first to spot the ground. (By David Wiseman) Want to share your Never Again story with your fellow pilots? Email pilot@aopa.org and we may publish it in AOPA Pilot magazine a…
- VFR into IMC (April 2023)
Hawaii may be a paradise, but not for a VFR pilot flying into IMC. Find out what happens. (By Brian Delamer) Want to share your Never Again story with your fellow pilots? Email pilot@aopa.org and we may publish it in AOPA Pilot magazine an…
- The Parallax Doesn't Lie (March 2023)
There's lots of stories in aviation about not having enough fuel. But when do you have too much? (By Carmine Mowbray) Want to share your Never Again story with your fellow pilots? Email pilot@aopa.org and we may publish it in AOPA Pilot ma…
- Six-Right Surprise (February 2023)
Don't land on taxiways. Just don't. Find out what led a pilot to do just that. (By Doug Magill) Got a Never Again scenario you'd like to share with others? Email pilot@aopa.org and we may publish your story in AOPA Pilot magazine and recor…
- Anticipation of Adventure (January 2023)
The iPad has become an invaluable tool until it breaks loose from its mount and jams the controls. Tighten down that clamp and ride along. (By Tom Fournier) Got a Never Again scenario you'd like to share with others? Email pilot@aopa.org a…
- Risky Weather (December 2022)
Risk--what is it, and how do you mitigate it, especially with regards to the weather? And how much risk is too much? Find out what happens when risk is mismanaged. (By Preston Harrison) Got a Never Again scenario you'd like to share with o…
- Fire is Not Your Friend (November 2022)
Nothing like a fire to liven up a phase check. Check that the fire extinguisher has a full charge. (By James Nova) Do you have a Never Again you'd like to share with your fellow pilots? Email pilot@aopa.org and we may publish your story in…
- Along for the Ride (October 2022)
Do you know how to disconnect your autopilot and do you have a backup plan for when the primary plan doesn't work? Find how many tries it might take. (By John Jacobi) Do you have your own Never Again story to share with other pilots? Email…
- Into a Monster (September 2022)
Ever wonder what it's like to fly directly into a thunderstorm? Fly along with someone who's been there. By Steve Weaver Got a Never Again to share with your fellow pilots? Email pilot@aopa.org and we may publish it in AOPA Pilot magazine…
- That Nagging Feeling (August 2022)
Does a partial engine failure constitute an emergency? Find out one pilot's opinion. By Dr. Amanda M. Stahl. Got a Never Again of your own to share? Email pilot@aopa.org and we may publish yours in AOPA Pilot magazine.
- Geese on Final (July 2022)
Birds hit the side of the airplane and we fall out of a tree. We'll enjoy a Sully moment of our own. (By Rodney Whipple) Got a Never Again of your own to share? Email pilot@aopa.org and we may publish yours in AOPA Pilot magazine.
- See or Be Seen (June 2022)
A Coast Guard air crew member witnesses first hand the necessity of approaching backcountry flights with rescue and survivability in mind. (By Thomas W. Gross) Got a Never Again of your own to share? Email pilot@aopa.org and we may publish…
- Thunderstorms in the vicinity (May 2022)
In this episode, sure you can avoid thunderstorms, but can you avoid the turbulence associated with them? Strap in tight--and I mean real tight. By Christopher Lyon. Got a Never Again you'd like to share? Send it to pilot@aopa.org ande we…
- Jump, son, jump (April 2022)
Throwing your son out the door of your Citabria? Pack that parachute and strap in. By Dominick Trivisanno. Do you have a Never Again story to share? Email pilot@aopa.org and we may publish your story and feature it on the Never Again podca…