Plane kills jogger in SC beach emergency landing

[Dr.Phool]

Source: MSNBC.com

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. - A 38-year-old father of two was jogging and listening to his iPod when he was hit from behind and killed by a small plane making an emergency landing on the beach, officials said Tuesday.

Robert Gary Jones of Woodstock, Ga., was killed instantly on Hilton Head Island on Monday evening, said Beaufort County Coroner Ed Allen.

The single-engine plane had lost its propeller and the pilot's vision was blocked by oil on the windshield, Allen said.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35885646/ns/us_news/

[notesdev]

1. iPods need to come with a warning

These things are more hazardous to your health than cigarettes. There is no safety measure more important than situational awareness!

[Warpy]

3. When the plane threw the prop and dumped the oil

the engine undoubtedly shut down. The jogger would likely have had no warning even if he'd been running without an Ipod and listening to the waves and birds.

This was a tragic accident and no one's fault.

However, yes, it's prudent to jog in the city with one ear bud in and one out so that you can hear what's around you.

[wtmusic]

2. Though this is largely one of those tragic, random occurrences

there is something to be said for being aware of your surroundings.

[Locrian]

4. it was freakin glidging people....

So there would have been very little "sound" to be aware of

"Jones apparently did not see or hear the plane, which was "basically gliding," the coroner said"


If you want to blame someone, ask how a "kit" type plane loses a frickin propeller.

[hex29a]

5. All planes are "kit" planes...some are assembled in big buildings, and some in

garages.

[AtheistCrusader]

14. Half million dollar 'kit', fully constructed.

http://www.lancair.com/Main/iv_ivp.html

[WriteDown]

6. How did he land the plane on the beach if he couldn't see out his window? nt

[RamboLiberal]

7. Looking out the side window I imagine

I've read of many a fighter pilot back in the days of prop fighters who had to land their plane with oil on the windshield. At least some of them could push back the canopy.

[WriteDown]

9. Hilton Head is a popular beach.

Not sure I'd feel comfortable landing on it. Tough call.

[supernova]

11. If it's the Beach or the Ocean

I'd take the beach.

It's a sad accident all the way around.

[WriteDown]

12. Less likely to hit a person in the ocean though..

Can't fault someone for trying to preserve their life and their passenger's life though. Now the question will be what caused the mechanical failure of the plane. I foresee a very large lawsuit.

[caraher]

8. He could see out the side

Lindbergh couldn't see straight ahead in the Spirit of St. Louis, either.

[WriteDown]

10. See post 9 and thanks. nt

[hex29a]

16. That's true and he depended on the runway being clear of critters during landing.

I don't know the pilot in this story but I'm very sure he feels awful about this terrible accident.

[caraher]

18. True

All I meant to point out was that it's possible to land safely without seeing forward - under the right circumstances. Obviously landing on this beach was not among them, at least for the poor guy on the beach.

I'm not sure what the pilot should have done - maybe ditching offshore would have been better, but I won't second-guess someone in that position.

[Lagomorph]

17. The best method...

...is to select an area to land on from altitude. Pick a landmark on either side and land between them. It has it's risks, but the plane's going down no matter what you do and your options are limited by time and gravity.

[DesertDiamond]

13. Planes need horns!

[wtmusic]

15. Another shill from the plane horn lobby

You guys are SO obvious :D