22 year old killed by tail rotor
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Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 481
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I remember reading the story of a crewman that stepped backwards through the spinning prop of a WW2 bomber.
It was only after he realised what he had done did he faint.
I had the privilege to get access the the Arizona Air National Guard ramp in 98. No safety instructions. I was just told to give priority to aircraft and stay within the lines on the ramp.
Had several helo's taxi next to me while I got some nice pictures. I used common sense and respected the environment. Wouldn't happen now.
Everyone blaming this person but shouldn't aircraft be shut down before embarking, disembarking?
It was only after he realised what he had done did he faint.
I had the privilege to get access the the Arizona Air National Guard ramp in 98. No safety instructions. I was just told to give priority to aircraft and stay within the lines on the ramp.
Had several helo's taxi next to me while I got some nice pictures. I used common sense and respected the environment. Wouldn't happen now.
Everyone blaming this person but shouldn't aircraft be shut down before embarking, disembarking?
Joined: Sep 2018
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 888
Likes: 65
From: California
If its a tour operation there should be ground crew to let pax out and escort them away. Any other operation? You're probably on your own.
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 234
Likes: 12
From: SW1A 2AA
I would have thought a little more compassion would have been appropriate. A tragic event for a 22 year old boy with his life ahead of him regardless of wealth or ‘taking a selfie’. No empathy for the family losing their son, some of the comments are quite sickening. Hey good ol’ pprune whereby you can say anything but would never dare face to face.
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 361
Likes: 10
From: UK
Concur it's an awful tragedy and demands more sensitivity by previous posters. In addition, only the Mail can start the opening dialogue explaining how much the school he went to 3+ years ago cost per annum in fees as if it's relevant......
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 714
Likes: 61
From: Great yarmouth, Norfolk UK
It just goes to show that anyone can have a bad day. Sometimes you are lucky and get away with it to become older and a little wiser. Other times, you don't.
Condolences to the family and sympathy to the crew who will now go through the wringer.
UXB 99, from my albeit limited experience in the offshore industry they always have the rotors running when loading and offloading passengers.
I was told it was due to aircraft stability being low on start up and shutdown.
Condolences to the family and sympathy to the crew who will now go through the wringer.
UXB 99, from my albeit limited experience in the offshore industry they always have the rotors running when loading and offloading passengers.
I was told it was due to aircraft stability being low on start up and shutdown.
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,032
Likes: 7
From: OS SX2063
One of a helicopter pilot's worst nightmares.
How very sad that a young man could lose his life like this, regardless of who is at fault.
It may be he's part of the "selfie brigade", it may be that the operation somehow is at fault and he was totally blameless, either way it's not a good thing, for his family, friends, the pilot and ground crew or our industry.
I work in a bit of the industry where dark humour is the norm, but some of our "fellow" posters on PPRuNe and other social media perhaps should think before they post every once in a while.
The mainstream media, should still be ashamed of themselves, proves once again they cannot often be trusted to report on anything involving aviation.
How very sad that a young man could lose his life like this, regardless of who is at fault.
It may be he's part of the "selfie brigade", it may be that the operation somehow is at fault and he was totally blameless, either way it's not a good thing, for his family, friends, the pilot and ground crew or our industry.
I work in a bit of the industry where dark humour is the norm, but some of our "fellow" posters on PPRuNe and other social media perhaps should think before they post every once in a while.
The mainstream media, should still be ashamed of themselves, proves once again they cannot often be trusted to report on anything involving aviation.
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
From: Out of Africa
Oman
My dad flew for Gulf Helicopters between 78 and 93. During that time he was on a job in Oman, flying geologists with a B206 up in the mountains. Despite comprehensive safety briefings, one of his passengers did the same thing, and was killed instantly. Dad was arrested and kept under house (hotel) arrest for about a month. The case went to court, but after some deliberation, he was found not to have been to blame and was released.
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 528
Likes: 62
From: everywhere
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 518
Likes: 16
From: Luton
Why don't they fit safety guards around the tail fan to prevent such accidents? Helicopters often embark/disembark passengers with rotors revolving so are a greater risk to passengesr than most fixed wing aircraft.
Joined: Jan 2019
Aviation Qualifications: LAME
Posts: 804
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From: Cumbria
Joined: Jan 2008
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 187
Likes: 11
From: Europe
There's half a dozen "helipads" around Athens, some are official ones with proper markings, clearances etc. Some are just round concrete circles in the middle of a field or next to a parking lot.
A real tragedy this is
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 605
Likes: 12
From: UK
I would have thought a little more compassion would have been appropriate. A tragic event for a 22 year old boy with his life ahead of him regardless of wealth or ‘taking a selfie’. No empathy for the family losing their son, some of the comments are quite sickening. Hey good ol’ pprune whereby you can say anything but would never dare face to face.
Read multiple reports from different sources and you find that the statement issued by the head of AAIASB (Greek accident investigators), is completely denied by one of the other passengers who witnessed what went on. We have no way to know which one is wrong or whether both are wrong - but they can't both be right. This means that ALL press reports should be ignored
All we know is that a Brit aged 22 has tragically died and it involved a tail rotor on a 407. Have some sympathy for his relatives and friends. (full disclosure - none known to me)
Joined: Sep 2018
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 888
Likes: 65
From: California
Joined: Sep 2018
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 888
Likes: 65
From: California
They put safety barriers in front of railroad crossings, yet people still insist on going around them to get run over by a train.
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 605
Likes: 12
From: UK
- if the passengers were clearly briefed before take-off in English
- if the passengers ignored what they had been told, or didn't fully understand it
- if the passengers were escorted from the aircraft on landing by ground crew
- if signage for passengers was present and clear enough to read
- if there was a reason the pilot did not shut down sooner
- if the aircraft was fitted with a rotor brake, whether it was functional, and whether it was used or not
- if the operator was following their own ops manual
- if the ops manual was sufficient
- if the heliport ops manual was being followed
- if the heliport ops manual was sufficient
- if there was any time pressure on anyone involved
- if the sun was in an awkward direction for the deceased to be able to judge the height or distance of the tail rotor
- if the AAIASB statement was based on observations by AAIASB personnel or a telephone call with the operator or something else
- etc etc- so many things to think about