The spreader bar came loose and trailed out behind, flapping in the breeze. Ignorance is sometimes blamed for the troubles that pilots get into.
Ignorance is never an excuse because the training program is thorough.
Most generally errors in judgement, plain boners and faulty planning, plus the lack of alertness, give an appearance of ignorance. I t was an out and out boner, and the fact that I lived to become an older and vastly wiser pilot is a direct tribute to the Lady that's known as Luck. I was detailed to assist in the flight testing of overhauled planes. I wandered out and climbed into a shiny overhauled job. The engine cranked readily, checked on both switches, and the controls were free.