A wingwalker at an air show near Detroit plunged about 200 feet to his death on Sunday as he tried to climb onto a helicopter in mid-air, in the third fatal air performance accident this weekend, officials said. The death of wingwalker Todd Green comes a day after an aerobatic flyer crashed and died at a Kansas City, Missouri, air show and a British Royal Air Force "Red Arrows" pilot crashed and died at an air festival on the coast of England. Green was flying atop an aircraft at the Selfridge Air Show, less than 30 miles from Detroit, on Sunday when he fell while trying to perform a transfer to a helicopter, organizers said on a website for the event.
It's been a tough year on the air show cct. I know many of these people and they are a fun group and although the stunts look crazy they are mostly well thought out and relatively safe. I didn't know this wingwalker, but I know the pilot of the stearman and this is a terrible thing to have happen.
The big thing with airshows is everyone is trying to be original, as there are only so many things you can do. The stunt may have seemed boring and pointless, but the fact the accident happened shows it was actually quite difficult. I've seen the transfer before and it is pretty cool.
I read that the fall happened on the third attempt after wind gusts caused the first two attempts to fail, and the video I watched confirmed that. If that's true, this was an accident waiting to happen. Sure he's a professional, but there are safety limits, and this group in particular has had 3 deaths according to CNN? Wow.
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Here's a successful attempt that I filmed a couple years ago at the Quad City Air Show. Its pretty amazing to see, and not really that much crazier than most wing walking stunts.
Hopefully he had a heart attack before he hit the ground... sounds like one hell of a violent spill.
Even if the old crazy notion that one's heart would fail when falling to your death was true (it isn't). I doubt it would even black you out in the 3 seconds it took this poor fellow to hit the ground.
Location: Close enough to make a beer run during a TV timeout
Exp:
So, would there be another person actually flying the plane? I'm just wondering if the plane would have continued flying until it ran out of fuel; and then crashed somewhere.
So, would there be another person actually flying the plane? I'm just wondering if the plane would have continued flying until it ran out of fuel; and then crashed somewhere.
There is a pilot in the plane, he is sitting in the backseat. The wing walker usually sits up in the front seat.
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Not everyone wants to live a safe and boring life. Maybe he wanted to do something more dangerous and exciting with his.
I really doubt there is anyone on the planet who knew more about or was more prepared for those dangers than this guy. Unfortunately being prepared doesn't make you immune from mistakes.
Death is inevitable for all of us. One way or another. He could have just as easily died in a car crash on his way to the air show.
I, for one, commend his bravery and appreciate his effort to keep his fellow man entertained.
What a waste, but the guy made his choices. The helicopter's rotors are barely turning in the video - is this because the video is shot at 30 fps and just happens to sync up with the rotors?
What a waste, but the guy made his choices. The helicopter's rotors are barely turning in the video - is this because the video is shot at 30 fps and just happens to sync up with the rotors?
Either that or the helicopter is generating lift by other means (magic?).
Have to say though, that'd be one of the most terrifying ways to die. There's no way you'll black out before hitting the ground.
Luke Wingwalker falls to his death at air show.
