dontpickit
13th Nov 2006, 22:36
SAFETY warning signs are being erected on a remote Shetland airstrip after a man tried to board a plane while the propellers were already turning.
Directflight, operators of Shetland's inter island air service, said yesterday (Friday) they wanted to inform the island community of Papa Stour how dangerous it is to try and board a plane while the engines are running.
The incident occurred last week when one of the islands' newest residents failed to see the pilot and another passenger leave the airport building to get on the plane.
Operations manager Mike Collins said: "After the man heard the plane starting up he ran out of the building and tried opening the aircraft door to get in. The pilot spotted him in his peripheral vision.
"The man was allowed on board and conveyed to Lerwick, and then brought back to Papa Stour. He was informed how dangerous what he had attempted was and not to do it again."
Mr Collins added: "Directflight is planning on putting signs up on Saturday and getting the word out into the community about the dangers of this sort of behaviour."
He said no legal action would be taken against the man as a result of the incident, described by one islander as "potentially lethal".
Link to the original:
http://www.shetland-news.co.uk/pages/news%20stories/11_2006/man_tried_to_board_moving_plane.htm
At least on the Orkney island strips the attendants 'attend' - opening and closing a gate and manning the gate at start up. Lessons were learned there many years ago after a fatal accident in very similar circumstances.
It'll take more than a few signs and advice. As a senior copper who rose throught the ranks remarked to me once 'never assume common sense'.
Directflight, operators of Shetland's inter island air service, said yesterday (Friday) they wanted to inform the island community of Papa Stour how dangerous it is to try and board a plane while the engines are running.
The incident occurred last week when one of the islands' newest residents failed to see the pilot and another passenger leave the airport building to get on the plane.
Operations manager Mike Collins said: "After the man heard the plane starting up he ran out of the building and tried opening the aircraft door to get in. The pilot spotted him in his peripheral vision.
"The man was allowed on board and conveyed to Lerwick, and then brought back to Papa Stour. He was informed how dangerous what he had attempted was and not to do it again."
Mr Collins added: "Directflight is planning on putting signs up on Saturday and getting the word out into the community about the dangers of this sort of behaviour."
He said no legal action would be taken against the man as a result of the incident, described by one islander as "potentially lethal".
Link to the original:
http://www.shetland-news.co.uk/pages/news%20stories/11_2006/man_tried_to_board_moving_plane.htm
At least on the Orkney island strips the attendants 'attend' - opening and closing a gate and manning the gate at start up. Lessons were learned there many years ago after a fatal accident in very similar circumstances.
It'll take more than a few signs and advice. As a senior copper who rose throught the ranks remarked to me once 'never assume common sense'.