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Sad Accident over Deland



 
 
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  #1  
Old April 26th 05, 01:11 PM
Jay Honeck
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Default 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  
Old April 26th 05, 02:33 PM
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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  
Old April 26th 05, 03:06 PM
Dave S
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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  
Old April 26th 05, 03:16 PM
Dylan Smith
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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  
Old April 26th 05, 05:19 PM
Dale
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Default

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  
Old April 27th 05, 06:48 AM
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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

 




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