Sadly another

[FauxZ]

http://news.scotsman.com/entertainment.cfm?id=1483222007

[Optigirl]

Very Sad.

 

Too bad there will be more that crash.

 

In a small way, Its not a bad way to go, Car crashes, Plane Crashes, Heart attack in the back yard, Cleaning out the lions cage at some zoo...

There are just so many ways to die, I guess Its normal to point to what we all love so much and take a bigger notice when It happens to one

of us.

 

~LD

[Gomer Pylot]

What is it about race car drivers that makes them think they can just jump into a helicopter and fly it? Some well-known NASCAR guy killed himself in one some time back. My theory is that the head is filled with ego, not brain.

[Hawkdriver]

Davey Allison.

[slick1537]

I think it would be ignorant to assume he just jumped in a flew it, unless you personally knew he was under experienced and shouldn't have been flying it. There have been plenty of pilots with several thousand hours who have suffered the same fate.

[slick1537]

http://www.colinmcrae.com/ sadly his son and possibly another child were on board.

[Goldy]

Exploding into a fireball does not necessarily sound like pilot error. And flying a twin engine turbine most likely means the guy has some experience...sorry to hear this.

[HelliBoy]

What is it about race car drivers that makes them think they can just jump into a helicopter and fly it? Some well-known NASCAR guy killed himself in one some time back. My theory is that the head is filled with ego, not brain.

 

what an a$$hole statement. take a look at yourself.

[rick1128]

what an a$$hole statement. take a look at yourself.

 

Unfortunately, there are a few groups of pilots that fall into that general category, like Doctors and Lawyers. I have flown with a few of them and it can be quite interesting (sporting). But I have also flown with pilots in those categories that were quite good also. Unfortunately they seemed to be few and far between.

[james28]

colin was a licensed pilot.

[HelliBoy]

Unfortunately, there are a few groups of pilots that fall into that general category, like Doctors and Lawyers. I have flown with a few of them and it can be quite interesting (sporting). But I have also flown with pilots in those categories that were quite good also. Unfortunately they seemed to be few and far between.

 

I know there are bad pilots out there, I've flown with them too. I'm pretty sure gomer pile hasnt flown with collin mcrae, so to besmirch his ability or whatever is completely uncalled for. Mcrae drove rally cars down dirt roads at 140 mph safely so to say that he's a risk taker and unsafe pilot doesnt make a lick o sense. Does being a desk jockey your whole life make u a safer pilot??

[Gomer Pylot]

I know he had a license, and so did Allison, but they didn't have much flight time. Race drivers tend to think a few tens of hours gives them the same flying skill as they have on the track, but it isn't so. Driving 140 mph down dirt roads has little to do with flying a helicopter. Doctors seem to be the same, or at least similar, thus the nickname of the Bonanza is 'forked-tail doctor killer'. People with big egos tend to overestimate their skills, and race car drivers and doctors tend to have large egos. Not all, but that's the way to bet.

[james28]

he had a license, that qualifies him to fly as far as i know. the only way to build time is fly. doesn't matter how much time you have in helicopters, anyone can go down. how do you know that it was his ego that brought him down? do we even know the cause of the accident? how many race drivers do you personally know that fly helicopters?

[bossman]

I know he had a license, and so did Allison, but they didn't have much flight time. Race drivers tend to think a few tens of hours gives them the same flying skill as they have on the track, but it isn't so. Driving 140 mph down dirt roads has little to do with flying a helicopter. Doctors seem to be the same, or at least similar, thus the nickname of the Bonanza is 'forked-tail doctor killer'. People with big egos tend to overestimate their skills, and race car drivers and doctors tend to have large egos. Not all, but that's the way to bet.

Gomer,

Once again you enlighten us with your never ending rays of sunshine. Do not ever forget that we were all low time pilots once. Just because you are now God's gift to the helicopter industry does not give you the right to jump to conclusions about the abilities of others.

bossman

[Optigirl]

Little more than 24 hours after the death of former WRC champion Colin McRae in a helicopter accident, the Scot's former team boss David Richards has escaped unhurt after his own helicopter crash-landed in Essex.

 

According to the BBC, Prodrive chief Richards and his wife 'walked out of the wreckage' of his aircraft and were treated for shock after the incident – which occurred as the pair were returning home from the Belgian Grand Prixat Spa.

Edited September 17, 2007 by Optigirl

[Gomer Pylot]

Bossman, some of us get old and some don't. As Clint Eastwood famously said in a movie, "A man has to know his limitations". There is nothing wrong with being a low-time pilot, because everyone starts out that way. What is wrong is thinking you can do anything you want when you don't have the experience. That will kill you, and has killed many already. I would never get into a race car and drive the Indy 500. If I wanted to drive a race car, I would go to a track when there was no one else there, get training, and then go around by myself. It takes a long time to be proficient at driving under those conditions, just as it takes a long time to be proficient at flying under less than ideal conditions. I know that, but it seems, from what I've seen over the past 40 years, that not all race car drivers, and not all doctors, do. People with big egos tend to overestimate their abilities, and underestimate their limitations. That's dangerous in any area, and especially flying, and it's certainly not limited to drivers and doctors. It can be anyone at all, all it takes is an ego slightly too large for one's experience. There are a lot of young people on here, without much experience at either aviation or life in general. If they learn one thing, this should be it. Flying is unforgiving, and especially helicopter flying. One has to stay within one's limitations all the time, or be prepared to pay the consequences, and the price is very, very high. Lots of people I knew very well have died through a moment's inattention or through letting themselves get into a situation beyond their ability to handle. Everyone dies, but it's better to die of old age.

[captkirkyota]

Bossman, some of us get old and some don't. As Clint Eastwood famously said in a movie, "A man has to know his limitations". There is nothing wrong with being a low-time pilot, because everyone starts out that way. What is wrong is thinking you can do anything you want when you don't have the experience. That will kill you, and has killed many already. I would never get into a race car and drive the Indy 500. If I wanted to drive a race car, I would go to a track when there was no one else there, get training, and then go around by myself. It takes a long time to be proficient at driving under those conditions, just as it takes a long time to be proficient at flying under less than ideal conditions. I know that, but it seems, from what I've seen over the past 40 years, that not all race car drivers, and not all doctors, do. People with big egos tend to overestimate their abilities, and underestimate their limitations. That's dangerous in any area, and especially flying, and it's certainly not limited to drivers and doctors. It can be anyone at all, all it takes is an ego slightly too large for one's experience. There are a lot of young people on here, without much experience at either aviation or life in general. If they learn one thing, this should be it. Flying is unforgiving, and especially helicopter flying. One has to stay within one's limitations all the time, or be prepared to pay the consequences, and the price is very, very high. Lots of people I knew very well have died through a moment's inattention or through letting themselves get into a situation beyond their ability to handle. Everyone dies, but it's better to die of old age.

 

I don't think anyone will disagree with that statement.

I think the problem is that you just ASSUMED something about a dead guy you've never met, who crashed for reasons yet unknown and it really reads like you are a jerk. You are probably not a jerk, but your first post is like " what the heck dude!?!?!? " We do not know what kind of quality or lack thereof, training he had, so to just assume he was an egotistical, arrogant, self absorbed and unskilled person because he races cars and wanted to fly heli's too, is kind of arrogant of you and it makes you look like that to which you are speaking of.

Again, you are a professional and still alive, and are living proof of the principles of which you so wisely try to share to make sure people do not get complacent, ( which I for one appreciate ) but some of your posts seem to impugn you of the very things you so often accuse others of.

Please try and be a little more like soft tissue rather that 25 grit sandpaper.

[Grant B]

This thread should have Colin McRae or at least the words Rally driver in the title.

 

`Sadly another' - isn't very productive as a reference for the web or even this forum.

[500E]

GP.

I am rather disappointed in your post

I new Colin and his father Jimmy and I assure you he was not a gung ho person especially with his son and another child on board.

Talking to others that new him better and flew with him he was categorised as a very safety concious pilot, with reflexes and concentration skills that you and I could only dream about.

I do not know the hours logged but he has had helicopters for some time and in one interview said "it is one of the hardest things I have ever undertaken" for a World Champion to admit this does not sound like the person you are suggesting.

Having sat with some of the fastest drivers I understand some of your comment But Colin was really Mr nice guy without as we say. any side or look at me factor

[jdb]

Please excuse my spelling and grammar.

 

Flying is a serious business. It can kill you very quickly. I will never forget as a passenger flat spinning into the mountains. On the way down, I was sure I would die.

 

When I came to from a blackout, I saw the pilot hunched over bleeding. I looked into his face and thought he was dead. But he was not. It was surreal, but very real. The plane was torn up, engine broken off and jammed into the rocks and forest floor. From the outside It looked almost like a shredded aluminum can.

 

The other passage’s were in mental shock and would not move out. The smell of fuel was strong. I got the other passengers in mental shock out the shredded wreckage and in back of some large boulders. When I went back into the wreckage the second time I thought again I will surly die, this time from an explosion.

 

The men, I pulled out never thanked me. Two of them were arrogant want-to- be young commercial pilots. The women thought they were cool. They ended up being little wimps that I had to save. (But, I still love their life more than my own life and would do it again). I never told their secret of how I had to protect them from the plane exploding. I never told their secret to their friends of how I saw these great and popular men lying there stunned and ready to cry.

 

It was very sad to see great men with big egos helpless like little babies. I almost want to cry thinking about how frail they and I really are.

 

And again they never thanked me. Why do we as people have to be so arrogant. And think that nothing can or will ever happen to us.

 

They had to go to counseling for post traumatic stress syndrome. It was only a few seconds before the crash, they were unbeatable, they were in total control of their life’s, so they thought.

 

To me, its very sad when some one goes down. I will never forget. My life has changed.

Flying is deadly serious occupation. You have your passengers life’s depending on you.

 

P.S. I am not a upset passenger mad at pilots. I started flying at 13 years old. Though that was some years ago and just starting again. My biggest thrill is when I talk to some of the guys that did a military tour. Their the real deal. And they are a different breed. They know what safety and high stress levels is all about. They carry their personal integrity with them every time they set foot into their aircraft. They mean business and I would trust my life to them.. No, I am not a ex military rotorcraft pilot. But at my age I hung around enough Military and bush pilots to know there is a difference in mind set.

[Caribranger]

I don't think anyone will disagree with that statement.

I think the problem is that you just ASSUMED something about a dead guy you've never met, who crashed for reasons yet unknown and it really reads like you are a jerk. You are probably not a jerk, but your first post is like " what the heck dude!?!?!? " We do not know what kind of quality or lack thereof, training he had, so to just assume he was an egotistical, arrogant, self absorbed and unskilled person because he races cars and wanted to fly heli's too, is kind of arrogant of you and it makes you look like that to which you are speaking of.

Again, you are a professional and still alive, and are living proof of the principles of which you so wisely try to share to make sure people do not get complacent, ( which I for one appreciate ) but some of your posts seem to impugn you of the very things you so often accuse others of.

Please try and be a little more like soft tissue rather that 25 grit sandpaper.

 

Well said.

Being new and low houred in this industry I have to offer an insight. Yes, we were all low houred (still am) and all (I hope) believe very aware of our surroundings and how often we think " Just what are we getting ourselves into", thats good to have right?

Sometimes though and without reason, fate will wisk us away - fate has no mercy. Who knows what realy happened, I agree with most postings to this thread - Colin was licenced and I am sure a very competant pilot who had loved ones in the aircraft with him at the time. Accidents happen, all are very sad, some unfortunate - some avoidable, lets not make the mistake of thinking our own egos - Yes that means you GP, (sorry, it just reads that way) are bigger than we are eh! One day - and god forgive me - it could happen to me or you.

 

Rest in Peace all on board.

[FauxZ]

-->

This thread should have Colin McRae or at least the words Rally driver in the title.

 

`Sadly another' - isn't very productive as a reference for the web or even this forum.

 

I'm going to respectfully disagree with you. "Sadly Another" is perfectly fitting for a number of reasons.

 

Sadly Another Helicopter has crashed, killing it's occupants.

Sadly Another legend is his respective field has been lost in a Helicopter accident

Sadly Another post has wandered far and wide from the original topic

 

Think of it as an adaptive title. Besides, would you rather click and be curious as to what "sadly another" relates to, or click and be disappointed that a thread about "Colin McCrae lost in helicopter accident" has only mentioned what a loss this is to offroad racing, once.

 

That said, his being famous does not make it any more tragic of a loss for the helicopter industry.

 

Hows that for thread creep!!!

[james28]

i think what's sad is that we're all arguing about this instead of praising colin and mourning his death. here's something cool i got in an email today that might help put things into perspective.

 

 

http://hsudarren.wordpress.com/2007/07/24/...in-perspective/

 

now really, how big are the problems we face each day?

[Grant B]

-->

<!--quotec-->This thread should have Colin McRae or at least the words Rally driver in the title.

 

`Sadly another' - isn't very productive as a reference for the web or even this forum.

 

I'm going to respectfully disagree with you. "Sadly Another" is perfectly fitting for a number of reasons.

 

Sadly Another Helicopter has crashed, killing it's occupants.

Sadly Another legend is his respective field has been lost in a Helicopter accident

Sadly Another post has wandered far and wide from the original topic

 

Think of it as an adaptive title. Besides, would you rather click and be curious as to what "sadly another" relates to, or click and be disappointed that a thread about "Colin McCrae lost in helicopter accident" has only mentioned what a loss this is to offroad racing, once.

 

That said, his being famous does not make it any more tragic of a loss for the helicopter industry.

 

Hows that for thread creep!!!

 

 

I wasn't thinking for the members here. I was thinking for the hundreds of thousands of people wanting to know more about this accident via the World Wide Web. Maybe they would come to a helicopter forum for information. Maybe they would type in google Colin McCrae's name or the words helicopter etc. Then this forum and this thread could be more easily accessible and therefore more useful to many people, fans alike.

[Linc]

I'm pretty sure the aircraft was a fireball after it went down. I've recently had two crews in two separate events fly for a bit of time with severe fuel leaks in the engine compartment and not explode into fireballs. It usually takes the impact of a crash to sufficiently atomize those types of fuel for them to ignite into a "fireball". Also note that it was the "police sources" that referred to it as a fireball, the eyewitness said he simply saw it come overhead and then drop into the valley, followed by black smoke coming up from below.

 

This article says that the problem was a mechanical one. However, it says that it was a drive belt. It could be just my misunderstanding of the Queen's English, or else my lack of knowledge about twin-turbine civilian helicopters, but I'm not aware of turbines having belts. I did note that all the speculation seems to be coming from those who are "close" to the investigation, but none of it is coming from the AAIB team. Judging by the police sources' description of "fireball", I wonder if we can trust this "revelation" as accurate.

 

You know, 8 out of 10 times you can guess that an accident was human error and be correct. It has nothing to do with how nice a guy is, or how down to earth he is. Those are not usually good indicators of aptitude or skill. I've seen capable pilots make fatal mistakes. Those mistakes are not relegated solely to the realm of Darwin Award winners, although some might wish it was so. And when mistakes are made by people that they were not expected from, the mistake becomes the elephant in the room; nobody wants to talk about it.

 

The dangerous pilot is not the new one who knows that there is a lot he doesn't know and pays close attention and tries to do everything exactly as the instructor says, it is the pilot who thinks he's got it down. As far as Colin McRae is concerned, we'll just have to wait until the facts come out. The AAIB will do as thorough a job as possible to get to the bottom of whether the machine or the man was at fault. But I admit that based on what I've read, I'm inclined to go along with Gomer.

Edited October 2, 2007 by Linc