In spite of the odds against survival in these gnarly corners of aviation, we often ignore reality. We stack as many of the variables as possible in our favor, but then we shrug our shoulders, point the nose up, push the power levers forward, and assume the rest as risk. I studied the fuel vent obstruction as carefully as I could from my precarious perch, pondering the imponderables. I was reminded of the fine thread upon which we balance between life and death while flying airplanes. Flying, my friends, is just moments like this.
Aviation is Dangerous.
It can kill us dead. Perhaps we can be forgiven for forgetting the realities of flying because our airplanes rarely do fail us, our radios seldom leave us without a signal to lead us back to safety and home. It's not often that we lose our ability to call out to someone for help when we need it. We tend to take all of this for granted. I've had several incidents and one no kiddin' accident because of fuel vent problems.