ATCO dies getting last aircraft out of Sulawesi
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
Think about it. The aircraft could have come to grief, in which case the fire and rescue services would be required. He perhaps didn't know whether they were still there or not (very dynamic situation). To my mind, he made the right decision; at the cost of his life.
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Based on the initial report his death seemed utterly useless.
”To clear the last plane for take-off”.
it takes physics for the plane to fly, not paperwork or an FMS or an ATC clearance.
He could have left his post sooner and the airplane would have taken off just as safely.
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You’ve missed my point Sam.
Based on the initial report his death seemed utterly useless.
”To clear the last plane for take-off”.
it takes physics for the plane to fly, not paperwork or an FMS or an ATC clearance.
He could have left his post sooner and the airplane would have taken off just as safely.
You probably would have been here telling us how coward are "those" people, leaving their post.
Easy to pass judgements sitting on the sofa
He probably felt his duty to see the safe departure of the aircraft, and by then it was too late for him( one report I read said that the roof started to collapse and he jumped)
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You’ve missed my point Sam.
Based on the initial report his death seemed utterly useless.
”To clear the last plane for take-off”.
it takes physics for the plane to fly, not paperwork or an FMS or an ATC clearance.
He could have left his post sooner and the airplane would have taken off just as safely.
Having said that, any post that criticises (or certainly seems to criticise) a young man who died during the course of his duties -- whether his actions were "heroic" or not, and before all the facts are in -- seems just plain wrong to me.
If your intent was instead to wonder what horrific circumstances could have made him decide to finally leave by jumping from the tower, I suppose that's a reasonable question for those who may never have lived through an earthquake or Tsunami. In any event, we now know the answer to that question. And we also know the Captain's feelings and comments re the young Mr. Agung's actions.
Sam.
It sounds as if everyone involved was operating on the belief that the aircraft and its passengers were safer taking off than staying on the runway. And the ATC's job was to clear them so they could take off. He stayed at his post and paid the ultimate price. To me, that's heroic.
Can we say that he saved the lives of all aboard? No. As others have pointed out, the aircraft could have taken off without a clearance, and might in fact have been safer if it stayed on the runway. But putting yourself at risk to help in a crisis is heroic, even if it doesn't end up changing the ultimate result for anyone else.
Can we say that he saved the lives of all aboard? No. As others have pointed out, the aircraft could have taken off without a clearance, and might in fact have been safer if it stayed on the runway. But putting yourself at risk to help in a crisis is heroic, even if it doesn't end up changing the ultimate result for anyone else.