Real Pilot Story - Carbon Monoxide poisoning in an M20C

[EarthboundMisfit]

A fantastically told story on a Mooney pilot who passed out from CO posoning and survived to tell the tale - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ebhig-vr9o

Edited November 17, 2023 by EarthboundMisfit
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[EricJ]

2 hours ago, bluehighwayflyer said:

That is our own @DanM20C’s story.  How many of us went out and bought carbon monoxide detectors after hearing it?  I did.  
 

Dan working with Sensorcon to get discounts for aviators made a huge difference and probably saved lives.    It's an awesome story all the way through his continued evangalism for CO awareness and sensor use.

FWIW, there are quite a few vids around on the intarwebs about it, mostly of extended interviews with him going into more detail, including the treatment for recovery from CO poisoning and other injuries, how he was rescued, etc.    Just an amazing story all around.

 

[Hank]

This video is a nice, bite-sized summary of the 45 minute version he made with AOPA safety Foundation. I heard his first recounting of these events at the Mooney Summit several months after it all transpired. Very moving!

And yes, I went out and bought a Sensorcon immediately. Lost it moving hangars a few epyeaes later, bought another one. I've since found the first one. They are also handy outside the cockpit--I've checked my oven, gas logs in the fireplace, every the heater in my old truck.

[chriscalandro]

The newer generation of ADSB in devices like the Sentry include CO sensors and integrates directly with ForeFlight providing visible and audible alerts. 
 

you would be crazy to fly in the modern day without using these technologies to be always watching a display of your choice for things like weather, traffic, CO, TFRs or notams you may have missed, and other hazards and information. 
 

 

[201er]

16 hours ago, EarthboundMisfit said:

A fantastically told story on a Mooney pilot who passed out from CO posoning and survived to tell the tale - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ebhig-vr9o

Hearing Dan share his story at Mooney Summit made me aware and prepared when I had a CO leak after maintenance. Dan Bass saved my ass.

 

 

[AlexLev]

Dan's story inspired me to buy a Sensorcon which ironically was in Buffalo, NY and I just showed up at their factory and got one. After some flying, it started showing 5-8ppm after turning on heat when normally it would show 0 and it gave me clues to my muffler developing cracks which I was able to prevent thanks to it. Thank you, Dan! Could have saved my life!

Side question: for those using the Sensorcon: what do you do after it needs calibration? Can you send it to the factory? Do you have to buy a new one? I think it still works, but it's been a while and it says it needs calibration now.

[Pinecone]

They used to come to Mooney Summit and do calibrations.  Maybe next year.

[DanM20C]

15 hours ago, AlexLev said:

Side question: for those using the Sensorcon: what do you do after it needs calibration? Can you send it to the factory? Do you have to buy a new one? I think it still works, but it's been a while and it says it needs calibration now.

They will still operate after they need calibration.  But they can't guaranty the accuracy if they have not been calibrated. So continue to use it until you get it calibrated.  I have CO calibration gas that I bring to Airventure and the Mooney Summit.  If you are at either this next year I can calibrate.  But if you are in buffalo, you can go to Sensorcon.  I don't know what their current charge is, but they are a great company.  Unfortunately I don't have any contacts there anymore as they did loose some key people recently.  Hopefully I can reconnect with them in the new year.  

Cheers,

Dan   

[201er]

1 hour ago, DanM20C said:

They will still operate after they need calibration.  But they can't guaranty the accuracy if they have not been calibrated. So continue to use it until you get it calibrated.  I have CO calibration gas that I bring to Airventure and the Mooney Summit.  If you are at either this next year I can calibrate.  But if you are in buffalo, you can go to Sensorcon.  I don't know what their current charge is, but they are a great company.  Unfortunately I don't have any contacts there anymore as they did loose some key people recently.  Hopefully I can reconnect with them in the new year.  

Cheers,

Dan   

Are they still just as useful for detecting the binary of yes there is CO or no there isn't without calibration? Is it just the value that may be off without calibration or the ability to alert to the presence of CO entirely?

[Pinecone]

No way to tell.  The sensors do have a life limit where they will no longer detect low levels.

[DanM20C]

22 hours ago, 201er said:

Are they still just as useful for detecting the binary of yes there is CO or no there isn't without calibration? Is it just the value that may be off without calibration or the ability to alert to the presence of CO entirely?

Hi Mike,  They are still useful for yes/no of CO until at least 6 years of age.  Possibly up to 10 years.   Almost all that I have tested have only drifted 4 or 5ppm after they have passed their 2 year calibration window.  That being said, I recommend having 2 CO detectors.  That way one is always checking the other.   I actually have 5 in the airplane now.  hahaha. 

Cheers,

Dan

[201er]

43 minutes ago, DanM20C said:

Hi Mike,  They are still useful for yes/no of CO until at least 6 years of age.  Possibly up to 10 years.   Almost all that I have tested have only drifted 4 or 5ppm after they have passed their 2 year calibration window.  That being said, I recommend having 2 CO detectors.  That way one is always checking the other.   I actually have 5 in the airplane now.  hahaha. 

Cheers,

Dan

You sure 6 wouldn't be better?