Fatal prop strike at Windhoek International
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Fatal prop strike at Windhoek International
Terrible (and horrific) accident happened yesterday at FYWH. A pilot adjusted the C210 prop after which the engine turned, giving him a fatal blow to the head with the prop. Newspapers say he was only 21... Any updates? Condolences to the family, friends and pilots who knew him.
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Pilot dies in freak accident at Windhoek Intl
Although I always remained clear of the prop when I turn it, I've never actually heard of anyone being chopped by a live prop, or believed it would happen. Apparently there was a broken mag wire. I guess it shows the importance of dead cut checks 
Desert Air Pilot Dies in Freak Accident
A young Namibian Desert Air pilot was killed in a freak accident at the International Airport (Hosea Kutako) after sustaining serious head injuries on Monday.
The 21-year-old Mr Tiaan Oberholzer, died in the intensive care unit of the Roman Catholic Hospital in Windhoek.
The freak accident happened yesterday afternoon shortly after two o'clock when Mr Oberholzer ran his plane to inspect it before he would take off.
It cannot be confirmed with certainty what exactly happened. He was the pilot of a Cessna 210 aircraft and was pre-flighting the aircraft and turned the propeller blade and it hit him on the head.
The pilot next to his plane, Mr Roland Boltman, heard a bang and found him on the ground, unconscious with a serious head wound.
Two of Desert Air's planes were parked alongside Mr Oberholzer's plane and they were to fly tourists on a flying safari to Epacha Lodge near Etosha National Park departure.
After the accident, tourists, travel guides and pilots consulted with the guides and decided to continue the flying safari.
The Chief Pilot and Ops manager of Desert Air, Mr. Plichta, met last night with the other two pilots who witnessed the accident (Messrs. Boltman and Francois du Toit), and decided that they were to discontinue the safari from Epacha Lodge and were sent back to Windhoek due to post-traumatic shock.
"Their mood leaves much to be desired, which is understandable," Plichta said last night.
They have been replaced by two other pilots from the same company.
Desert Air Pilot Dies in Freak Accident
A young Namibian Desert Air pilot was killed in a freak accident at the International Airport (Hosea Kutako) after sustaining serious head injuries on Monday.
The 21-year-old Mr Tiaan Oberholzer, died in the intensive care unit of the Roman Catholic Hospital in Windhoek.
The freak accident happened yesterday afternoon shortly after two o'clock when Mr Oberholzer ran his plane to inspect it before he would take off.
It cannot be confirmed with certainty what exactly happened. He was the pilot of a Cessna 210 aircraft and was pre-flighting the aircraft and turned the propeller blade and it hit him on the head.
The pilot next to his plane, Mr Roland Boltman, heard a bang and found him on the ground, unconscious with a serious head wound.
Two of Desert Air's planes were parked alongside Mr Oberholzer's plane and they were to fly tourists on a flying safari to Epacha Lodge near Etosha National Park departure.
After the accident, tourists, travel guides and pilots consulted with the guides and decided to continue the flying safari.
The Chief Pilot and Ops manager of Desert Air, Mr. Plichta, met last night with the other two pilots who witnessed the accident (Messrs. Boltman and Francois du Toit), and decided that they were to discontinue the safari from Epacha Lodge and were sent back to Windhoek due to post-traumatic shock.
"Their mood leaves much to be desired, which is understandable," Plichta said last night.
They have been replaced by two other pilots from the same company.
Last edited by lilflyboy262; 25th May 2011 at 15:09.
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T. R. is meticulous about his aircraft and operation, goes to show that horrific accidents can happen even to the most careful of operators. That my heart goes out to the poor young pilot and his family goes without saying, but I feel for the owners, management, engineers and fellow-pilots too. An extremely sad day. Sterkte, sterkte, sterkte vir die familie, 'n klein troos is dalk dat hy beslis op slag weg was en dus glad nie gely het nie!
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I have met Tiaan personaly and found him to be a very pleasant individual; the typical young pilot starting his Career. Eager, enthusiastic and willing to do anything to get his behind into an aircraft. Rest in peace ...
Regardin T. R. beeing meticulous about his aircraft? Maybe, as long as it does not involve his (or rather the shareholders) purse...
Fact beeing (as any Desert Air pilot will tell you) that he forbids dead-cut checks on his piston engined aircraft ...
Fact beeing DCA issued a statement regarding a loose/broken magneto wire ...
Who knows, it is easy to speculate that had a pilot done a dead-cut check on that 210, Tiaan might still be among us today ...
Regardin T. R. beeing meticulous about his aircraft? Maybe, as long as it does not involve his (or rather the shareholders) purse...
Fact beeing (as any Desert Air pilot will tell you) that he forbids dead-cut checks on his piston engined aircraft ...
Fact beeing DCA issued a statement regarding a loose/broken magneto wire ...
Who knows, it is easy to speculate that had a pilot done a dead-cut check on that 210, Tiaan might still be among us today ...
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Dear Doodlebug & Tom Kitty,
I'm the dad of the deceased pilot and would like to make contact with you in this regards. I can be contacted at email: [email protected] or skype: nico_namibia.
Sincerely,
I'm the dad of the deceased pilot and would like to make contact with you in this regards. I can be contacted at email: [email protected] or skype: nico_namibia.
Sincerely,
