Simplicity of EDS Switch Helps Clay Ross Survive Engine Failure at 17,000 Feet

 

Your EDS O2D2 contributed to saving my life!!

On 15 Dec 2025, my Bonanza suffered an engine failure while I was the lone occupant. It began with low oil pressure, caused by an oil leak, while I was climbing through 17,000′. I reduced power to keep the engine cool, while trying to get to the nearest VFR airport. Several minutes later, the engine exploded. Smoke and oil came out the front of the cowling and over the windscreen. (Oil covering the windscreen.) Seconds later, smoke entered the cockpit through the firewall and panel !! Instinctively, I reached down and turned my O2D2 from F2 to the max (F4) position. This gave me a much stronger flow of fresh air, and I didn’t smell any of the smoke other than the first breath before turning the O2D2 up.

I opened the Bonanza pilot window to clear the smoke, although new smoke was still coming into the cabin for another minute.

Perhaps I wouldn’t have passed out from smoke inhalation without the O2D2. But what I am certain of is that being able to simply increase the flow, instinctively and easily with the O2D2 unit right next to my leg, between the seats, enabled me to forget about the smoke and focus on landing the plane and surviving the descent through a 600′ overcast ceiling and finding a safe place to land.

Thank you for helping to save my life !!! Your products are awesome.

-Clay Ross