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Old 21st Mar 2024, 03:17
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MALT68
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Perth
Age: 56
Posts: 38
Received 38 Likes on 8 Posts
Suicidal Pax could cause fatality to PIC as well

A suicidal passenger jumping out of a flyable aircraft or balloon is not necessarily a victimless crime to those on board (apart from the jumpee and any potential people on the ground hit by a jumper).
In particular aircraft, a Pax self jettisoning could lead to an unflyable aircraft due to the weight and balance being now outside of the C of G envelope.
Such a situation is a front seat passenger/student (the passenger is usual placed in the front seat to get the best view, the student normal sits in the front seat of the glider because that is the seat they will fly solo from) in a glider deciding to jump out , The rear seat passenger pilot/instructor would now be in danger in a most likely uncontrollable aircraft.
Other small two seater aircraft (motored or motorless) with in-line seating (rather than side by side) could potentially become unflyable.

Mental health is everyone's concern.
Are you OK?
Be kind to each other.
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