AOPA Never Again: Daily Summaries Delivered

Mooney on a Bumpy Grass Field (October 2026)

On this episode of “Never Again,” a Mooney pilot thinks he’s found a bargain on fuel—but the short grass runway, summer heat and trees ahead quickly turn a $20 savings into a terrifying takeoff.

To Divert or Not to Divert (September 2026)

On this episode of “Never Again,” a routine IFR flight turns into a fight against worsening weather when a Cessna 210 pilot encounters heavy snow, a 30-knot crosswind, accumulating ice, and an engine problem on approach. With visibility down to less than a quarter mile and the runway disappearing beneath fresh snow, he must decide whether to divert—or commit to the landing.

Got gas? (August 2026)

On this episode of “Never Again,” a simple dinner date turns into an emergency when a Mooney pilot discovers his fuel gauges have been lying to him. With the engine quitting, an unexpected landing at a military base, and a less-than-pleased commanding officer waiting on the ground, one overlooked step during preflight nearly has disastrous consequences.

The Muscle Memory Trap (July 2026)

In this episode of “Never Again,” transitioning between two twin-engine airplanes turns a routine touch-and-go into a runway accident. The flap lever in one cockpit occupies the exact same spot as the landing gear lever in another—and years of muscle memory prove stronger than a moment's intention.

Near-Death Grip (June 2026)

In this episode of “Never Again,” a routine ferry flight turns into a white-knuckle battle to outclimb the trees when a newly checked-out Piper Arrow pilot finds himself on departure from a short, challenging runway. Trapped in the right seat, a young pilot watches helplessly as the aircraft mushes toward rising terrain and discovers that experience, ratings, and age don't always tell the whole story.

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 weather and dwindling fuel. With each missed approach, the stakes climb higher—until there’s only one option left.

Unavoidable Carb Ice (April 2026)

Expect The Unexpected (March 2026)