Man falls from single engine airplane

[gimpy117]

Originally Posted by GoldenRivet

When flying, I rarely ever remove my safety belt... It appears that this zodiac is a low wing, glass canopy aircraft and that during the recovery the canopy separated from the airframe during either an inverted or zero-G portion of the recovery leaving the unbuckled person to fate.

What a terrible way to go.

it also sounds like it already has a shady safety record....

[August]

Originally Posted by Herr-Berbunch

The lowest I've jumped is 6k feet, and after jumps of between 12-14k that felt awfully close to the ground. 2.5k would be well into 'aaaaaaargh' territory for me.

It may be different for the static liners amongst you.

True dat. Hop and pop would be your only chance at that altitude.

[Schroeder]

I don't get it, why would anybody remove his safety belt in such an aircraft? I don't even do it while riding passenger liners but in such a small aircraft you have always to expect some bumbs during the ride, let alone an idiot pilot who pushes negative Gs to show off.

[GoldenRivet]

Originally Posted by Schroeder

let alone an idiot pilot who pushes negative Gs to show off.

Please keep in mind there is no proof that this is what happened, only one of a handful of possibilities

[Jimbuna]

Speculation is sure to evolve from such an incident...human nature.

[GoldenRivet]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Speculation is sure to evolve from such an incident...human nature.

Agreed

And I even "speculated" that it was a possibility that he was show boating

I think it was either that or a spin recovery.

The spin and recovery theory also holds water, the various forces at work during a spin and recovery could eject an unsecured man from an aircraft. Especially if by some reason the canopy opened on him.

With the limited info available its got to be one of the two scenarios because I can think of few ways a man could be thrown out of an unpressurized aircraft that hasn't disintegrated around him.

[Platapus]

I remember going through spin training. The forces can surprise you.

So do you think the canopy was not properly secured/locked?

[Schroeder]

Originally Posted by GoldenRivet

Please keep in mind there is no proof that this is what happened, only one of a handful of possibilities

I wasn't referring to this very case but to flying in general. There are quiet some pilots out there who like to pull stunts.

[GoldenRivet]

Originally Posted by Platapus

So do you think the canopy was not properly secured/locked?

good question

there are a number of aircraft canopies where it is not just a matter of closing it and thats that, i have seen many where there is some sort of latching mechanism which must be manipulated in some way or another in order to secure it.

perhaps the student was unfamiliar with the canopy and didnt properly close it correctly and the instructor failed to notice this.

I look forward to the report from the NTSB/FAA inspectors etc

Originally Posted by Schroeder

I wasn't referring to this very case but to flying in general. There are quiet some pilots out there who like to pull stunts.

ah i see

no doubt about that.

[Platapus]

I remember the 150s I flew as a student (crikey that was 29 years ago!). The doors were secured by a friction latch.

Good thing: In a crash, the door could always be kicked open

Bad thing: If you were not wearing a seat belt and went into a violent spin... you might have a harder time maintaining proper terrain separation.

I wonder if the canopy if the accident aircraft had a similar friction lock in case of emergencies?

[GoldenRivet]

Beats me... i do love a good 150 though

The grumman Cheetah,Tiger,Traveler etc all had a canopy mechanism which you had to slide the whole canopy forward, then cycle the handle to the open then closed position. (think toilet flush handle)

bad news with those was - you tweak the airframe in an off airport landing... its probably going to be jammed

good news - free air conditioning on the ground (and in flight you could open it up about 10-13 inches)

[em2nought]

Fall from plane or die in nursing home? Hmmm, tough decision.

[GoldenRivet]

damned easy decision if you ask me

i hate falling

but i love nursing. i could do that all day

Originally Posted by Herr-Berbunch

The lowest I've jumped is 6k feet, and after jumps of between 12-14k that felt awfully close to the ground. 2.5k would be well into 'aaaaaaargh' territory for me.

It may be different for the static liners amongst you.

Ya. An 800 foot drop DOES give you a 'tippy tingler'.

Combat height is more around 500 feet.
You get no reserve for those.
( not enuff fall height/time anyway!)

If you want real fun?
Drop at around 2000 feet and have someone 'steal' your air!
I ran off of more then one 'chute in my time.

[Herr-Berbunch]

Originally Posted by privateer

If you want real fun?
Drop at around 2000 feet and have someone 'steal' your air!
I ran off of more then one 'chute in my time.

No thanks. I like to be under canopy by 3k to chill out and enjoy the view.