If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Sad Accident over Deland
After landing in Deland, FL just last month (on our way to Titusville,
Florida), and witnessing the almost unbelievable sky-diving activity there, it came as no surprise to read that there was a fatal accident there a couple of days ago. I was especially saddened to see that the man who was killed had his legs severed by the prop of a Turbo Otter -- the very twins they use as jump-planes in Deland. Some of you may recall my post about how those Otters were "diving into the base leg of the pattern" as we were landing, which we found to be very disconcerting. The poor guy survived long enough to land safely, only to bleed out on the ground. It's hard to imagine a more horrifying accident. In my mind's eye I can picture the scene exactly. Those Otters diving through an absolute *crowd* of skydivers under canopy (literally!) and other planes in the pattern, trying to get back on the ground as quickly as possible to haul up the next load -- it gave me the willies to watch. I guess the only surprising thing is that this happens so rarely. Very sad. -- Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Pathfinder N56993 www.AlexisParkInn.com "Your Aviation Destination" |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Very sad indeed, horrible story.
I had my close encounters with jump planes more than enough. These are the very rare occasions that I want to have the military version of my plane including the hardware. -Kees |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Jay Honeck wrote:
After landing in Deland, FL just last month (on our way to Titusville, Florida), and witnessing the almost unbelievable sky-diving activity there, it came as no surprise to read that there was a fatal accident there a couple of days ago. Um, Jay.. are you saying that they are dangerous? Or were they at a different comfort level than what you are used to? The pilot AND the jumper involved, according to their peers (who have posted about this incident), were VERY well known for their approach to safety. This was a case of Big Sky/Small plane that didnt quite work out. I was especially saddened to see that the man who was killed had his legs severed by the prop of a Turbo Otter -- the very twins they use as jump-planes in Deland. Some of you may recall my post about how those Otters were "diving into the base leg of the pattern" as we were landing, which we found to be very disconcerting. The poor guy survived long enough to land safely, only to bleed out on the ground. It's hard to imagine a more horrifying accident. No. That pretty much sums it up.. Bleedouts suck. In my mind's eye I can picture the scene exactly. Those Otters diving through an absolute *crowd* of skydivers under canopy (literally!) I've seen pics of the jump plane heading down.. but I've never heard it described like that before. and other planes in the pattern, trying to get back on the ground as quickly as possible to haul up the next load -- it gave me the willies to watch. I guess the only surprising thing is that this happens so rarely. Yanno... A lot of people say the same thing about people flying them small planes. Very sad. Yes.. And honestly, I think that the fact that accidents such as this are so RARE is a testament to the safety of the system. Discussion among the jumpers, both on usenet and in their forum.. lists a grand total of maybe 4 people who have had fatal collisions with planes in God Knows How Long.. FOUR. In YEARS.. More people than that DIED in the past 3 days in Houston Texas Traffic car wrecks. Its unfortunate that two of the safest folks at the field (in the opinion of their peers) didn't see and avoid each other.. with tragic results. I flew into a drop zone on a private field a few years back.. The operation was professional the whole way, and I coordinated with the jump plane on the way in (and out) to avoid the flow of jumpers.. The jump pilots knew where all their chutes were, and when they were on the ground. I've personally not been to Deland, nor seen their operation, but if they were as haphazard as you suggest, wouldn't it be raining body parts from mangled meat-missles? Dave |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
In article .net, Dave S wrote:
Yes.. And honestly, I think that the fact that accidents such as this are so RARE is a testament to the safety of the system. Discussion among the jumpers, both on usenet and in their forum.. lists a grand total of maybe 4 people who have had fatal collisions with planes in God Knows How Long.. FOUR. In YEARS.. More telling is that at skydiving's Oshkosh (the big convention at Quincy, Illinois) there are more injuries on the days they DON'T fly than on the days they do fly - and on the days they do fly there are several jumpships in the air at once and many skydivers in the air at once. They even jump out of a Boeing 727 on occasion. -- Dylan Smith, Castletown, Isle of Man Flying: http://www.dylansmith.net Frontier Elite Universe: http://www.alioth.net "Maintain thine airspeed, lest the ground come up and smite thee" |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
In article 4eqbe.16614$c24.11911@attbi_s72,
"Jay Honeck" wrote: I was especially saddened to see that the man who was killed had his legs severed by the prop of a Turbo Otter -- the very twins they use as jump-planes in Deland. Some of you may recall my post about how those Otters were "diving into the base leg of the pattern" as we were landing, which we found to be very disconcerting. The jumper was struck by the wing outboard of the left engine...he did not hit the prop. Did you just assume it was a prop strike because of the amputations? In my mind's eye I can picture the scene exactly. Those Otters diving through an absolute *crowd* of skydivers under canopy (literally!) and other planes in the pattern, trying to get back on the ground as quickly as possible to haul up the next load -- it gave me the willies to watch. Your minds eye needs an adjustment. I wasn't there but I've made many skydives and hauled even more loads of skydivers. The jump planes do not dive "through an absolute crowd of skydivers". What a bunch of crap! Jump pilots do try to be as efficient as possible getting a quick turnaround for the next load. That doesn't mean we operate in a reckless manner with "getting back for the next load" being the only thing we're concentrating on. If you took the time to talk to some jump pilots, or better yet ride with them, you'll find that the jump pilot probably has a much better situational awareness then the usual GA pilot coming into an airport. The jump pilot is well aware that he will be descending into the airport area, that a midair collision risk is high. He will take precautions/use procedures that help to lower the risk. Just because an operation is outside your comfort zone or experience level Jay does not mean it's unsafe or reckless. This was a tragic accident. As another posted stated both the victim and the pilot are known for being very safe operators. And for the poster who made the comment about wanting the military gear on his airplane because of jump planes...that made me laugh. You can't imagine the number of times I've wished I had guns mounted on the jump plane because of the unthinking, uncaring morons who come blasting through a published, charted parachute operation placing themselves, their passengers and the jumpers in great peril. -- Dale L. Falk There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing around with airplanes. http://home.gci.net/~sncdfalk/flying.html |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Just because an operation is outside your comfort zone or experience
level Jay does not mean it's unsafe or reckless. Hmmm, maybe true. But I do not like to be cut-off in the pattern, being over taken, never mind somebody close on my tail where I can not see them. That makes me nervous. A jump pilot has more experience than me, but he/she can take in consideration that there are lesser pilots flying out there. If a pilot becomes nervous then mistakes are going to happen. This is about the same as people keeping their dogs(ie pit-bull terriers, rottweilers etc) unleashed, it is safe to their opinion. It makes other people nervous. -Kees |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
AOPA Stall/Spin Study -- Stowell's Review (8,000 words) | Rich Stowell | Aerobatics | 28 | January 2nd 09 02:26 PM |
AmeriFlight Crash | C J Campbell | Piloting | 5 | December 1st 03 02:13 PM |
Single-Seat Accident Records (Was BD-5B) | Ron Wanttaja | Home Built | 41 | November 20th 03 05:39 AM |
USAF = US Amphetamine Fools | RT | Military Aviation | 104 | September 25th 03 03:17 PM |
AOPA Stall/Spin Study -- Stowell's Review (8,000 words) | Rich Stowell | Piloting | 25 | September 11th 03 01:27 PM |