Plane Kills Beach Jogger in Emergency Landing-Didn't hear cause of IPod?

[RamboLiberal]

A 38-year-old jogger from Georgia is dead after a single-engine plane making an emergency landing hit him as he ran on a South Carolina beach listening to his iPod.

The coroner said Tuesday that Robert Gary Jones of Woodstock, Ga., apparently did not hear the troubled plane that struck him from behind on Hilton Head Island The plane had lost its propeller and the pilot's vision was blocked by oil on the windshield.

Beaufort County Coroner Ed Allen says he plans to conduct an autopsy. He says Jones was married and had two children.

Hilton Head fire and rescue spokeswoman Joheida (Joh-HI'-da) Fister says the identities of the pilot and a passenger on the Experimental Lancair IV-P plane were not released. They were not injured.

http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/wireStory?id=10111380

Sad. I know too many with IPods, MP3's, Cell phones are going through life oblivious to world & dangers around them, but then again I'm sure the victim didn't think about a plane landing on him on the beach. And I would think since the plane lost a propeller the pilot may have cut the engine.

[NightWatcher]

1. which is out of place on the beach, a jogger listening to tunes, or an airplane

So two people are flying an EXPERIMENTAL plane and had to ditch on the beach. Here's a novel idea, make sure that you can fly the damned thing before you take to the air.

[slackmaster]

3. Shit happens - I see joggers with ear buds nearly getting run over almost daily

Situational awareness is important for survival. That's why humans have good hearing and eyesight.

I had to honk my horn at an idiot jogger recently. She was running along the side of a street, not on the sidewalk, and veered diagonally into an intersection I was entering without even looking for traffic. I slowed down and honked. She turned around and flipped me the bird.

[NeedleCast]

9. Situational awareness is situational

Most people don't expect to have to use "situational awareness" to survive while running along the beach because you have a 99.999999999999999% chance of not having to worry about emergency plane landings while jogging on the beach.

[Sanity Claws]

16. I try to be aware of my surroundings at all time

Maybe it's because I'm female and I grew up in NYC but I always try to be aware of what's around me. Even out in nature, you never know when someone might want to assault you.
So while I may not be looking for gliding planes, I would be aware of sounds and shadows in my vicinity.

[NeedleCast]

25. Sure, any smart person does

But if a plane is coming up behind you with the sun in front of you and is performing an emergency landing due to an inoperational propeller, it's not going to be making much noise or casting a shadow you can see.

The point is that there are situations where you need to be more aware (jogging in the streets of New York, for example) and situations where it's reasonable to feel secure.

I wear my Ipod while I work in my garden. It's possible that a satellite is going to de-orbit and that random space just is going to land on my and crush me, but I am reasonably sure that isn't going to happen, so I feel secure in listening to my Ipod. That isn't to say that people don't use Ipods in dangerous situations where they probably shouldn't...but this isn't one of those times.

Edit: If you're not going to wear an Ipod because you fear you might be struck on a beach by a plane making an emergency landing I'd argue that there is no situation, anywhere, ever, in which you should wear an Ipod.

[slackmaster]

35. Rapists and murderers often sneak up quietly behind people too.

Situational awareness is always important.

[NeedleCast]

69. Well, again

there are places where you need to take precautions against this sort of thing, and places where it's reasonably safe that you won't have to worry about it.

[slackmaster]

29. Some people are blissfully ignorant of their surroundings

Just about every year, someone gets run over by a lifeguard or police vehicle on a San Diego beach.

The beaches in my area are subject to landslides and rogue waves.

We have hang gliders, helicopters, and airplanes buzzing the beach frequently.

[NightWatcher]

10. Cars are regularly seen on the street, planes not so much on the beach

[slackmaster]

30. Cars on the beach are not unusual in San Diego

Specifically lifeguard, police, and fire/rescue vehicles.

[CreekDog]

32. while running on the beach?

:shrug:

[slackmaster]

34. People get injured and killed on the beach by unexpected events every year

Landslides, lifeguard vehicles, asshole humans, etc. etc.

[Orrex]

56. Point me to an article that implies fault by the victim of such an accident becaus of iPod use

The current article should have omitted all mention of the victim's iPod because it's irrelevant, especially if--as has been suggested--the plane was landing with the engine shut off.

The fact is mentioned simply for sensationalism and to imply that the victim is somehow culpable in his own death, or that he was "asking for it."

[slackmaster]

58. That was a response to something in the original post in this thread

Read it.

The current article should have omitted all mention of the victim's iPod because it's irrelevant...

That's speculation on your part.

[Orrex]

59. I read it, thanks. And I read your post.

Seemed pretty clear that your post was a reply to the post you replied to, rather than the OP.

And in any case it doesn't matter, because the question remains: can you point me to an article about one of those other happenstance deaths that implies that the victim is at fault?

The current article should have omitted all mention of the victim's iPod because it's irrelevant.

That's speculation on your part.

Not really. Unless you can demonstrate that his use of the iPod was the proximate cause of his failure to get out of the way of the nearly silent plane, then I'd say his iPod is irrelevant. All the more so because even the expected "whooshing" sound of the incoming plane would be largely overpowered by the sound of the surf.

[slackmaster]

61. As I said, that's all speculation

As is the idea that the iPod contributed to the accident. When I'm out and about in public, I frequently turn around and look to see if anyone is approaching me from behind.

[Orrex]

65. Good for you, and nice shift in position.

At least, your stated position.

It would have been more intellectually honest of you, when accusing me of pure speculation, to note at the time that the article was likewise engaging in pure speculation by implying that the victim's use of his iPod was relevant.


Do you also typically look up into the air behind you to see if an all-but-silent aircraft is bearing down on you?

[Orrex]

5. Or ditch it in the water, where there are less likely to be people milling about

[SidDithers]

6. +1...

it's the pilot's responsibility to not hit the jogger, not the other way around.

Unfortunate as it is.

Sid

[slackmaster]

33. It's always fun to second-guess someone who was flying a plane in distress

:argh:

[Orrex]

48. Seems to me that this kind of second-guessing should happened before the flight

As in "If you find the plane in distress and have to make a sudden, unpowered landing, will you land on the beach potentially full of people or in the water?"

It strikes me as a sufficiently real-world possibility to make it more than an idle hypothetical.

[Raineyb]

50. Because we should blame the jogger who was on the beach minding his own business?

I'm sure the jogger belongs on the beach more than that plane does.

[slackmaster]

53. False Dilemma

Nice fallacy.

[Raineyb]

68. No not at all. YOU implied that the jogger had a part to do with his death.

And got pissy that someone dare suggest that perhaps the pilot should have landed elsewhere like in the water. If anyone SHOULD be second guessed it's the pilot not the jogger. You seem just fine with second guessing the jogger.

[Orrex]

54. It's always fun to second-guess someone killed by a plane

[Sanity Claws]

57. I'm not blaming the poor man

It is an awful freak accident.
My remarks were merely a reminder to myself that I should remain aware of my surroundings no matter where I am.

[zonkers]

7. We wouldn't let experimental cars on the road. We have test tracks.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

17. people build street legal kit-cars all the time

and that is all an experimental plane is... (in most cases).

sP

[zonkers]

23. You are right, sir.

[wolfgangmo]

51. experimental aircraft does not mean sound design.

It is just a legal definition for a plane that does not have a proven track record. As such, all new planes are experimental as are most military aircraft.

Here is a short (sarcasm) list. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_experimental_aircraft

Further, the pilot had mechanical failure, lost a prop, had oil on his windshield and still managed to find a (mostly) deserted flat landing place while his plane was losing altitude and brought it down. If he had been captaining a commercial jet his nickname would be "sully." Just sayin.

[hex29a]

70. I think you meant to say "does not mean UNsound design"

otherwise you're dead on correct. :-)

[Sanity Claws]

2. I have nothing against IPods, etc

However, they seem to interfere with experiencing our surroundings. Part of the enjoyment of walking along the beach is hearing the waves roar and seeing the sand dunes and seashells. I can't imagine that this man (RIP) was enjoying these simple pleasures if he were so oblivious of his surroundings as to not hear or see a plane.

[Codeine]

4. Plane probably wasn't making a sound.

Without a prop it is quite unlikely that the engine was engaged. A gliding plane is not exactly a giant noise machine.

[Javaman]

43. "my god, what is that horrible Whooshing sound???" nt

[NeedleCast]

8. Cant use isolated incidents of a freakish nature to vilify a device

[Shell Beau]

11. The volume must have been on 1 million!

I can't imgaine missing a plane headed at me even if I were deaf.

[SidDithers]

12. And if the plane were gliding with it's engine off?...nt

Sid

[Shell Beau]

13. I guess. Freaky though.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

18. i was going to go with the volume at '11' n/t

[Shell Beau]

21. Close enough!

:P

[Dr.Phool]

36. I've done simulated emergency landings with power off.

In the cockpit, all you can hear is the wind slipping by.

[tammywammy]

14. What a horrible accident!

BTW, I've been to Hilton Head once. Was a great vacation, I had a friend who's grandparents lived there when I was in high school. :)

[LeftHander]

15. Did he work IT for GOP ?....nt

[Fumesucker]

19. Here is the type of plane..

It is highly streamlined and would be very quiet at landing speeds with the engine off..

Sort of like a Prius on electric drive but without the tire noise..

Edited to add: And since the windshield was covered with oil the engine had almost certainly been turned off in order it not be more damaged by running while low on or out of oil.

[ecstatic]

20. It is not safe to run, walk, or bike in public areas with headphones

I love my music as much as the next person, but it should be restricted to home or the gym. RIP

[Shell Beau]

24. I will wear them walking, but I leave one ear open, and I keep the

volume pretty low. I can hear the music, but I can still hear any traffic.

I did have a friend get run over while jogging in the early morning. He was torn in half basically. Be careful people.

[NeedleCast]

27. Define Safe

I could make an argument that listening to Ipod/MP3 music at the gym is dangerous as well. Just depends on how much risk you're willing to take...and the fact that these incidents are pretty rare means it's a risk I'm willing to take.

[yellowcanine]

22. Cripes, what are the chances? In our region a woman was killed when a tree branch fell on her

as she was blowing leaves with ear protectors on.

I don't see that one could anticipate getting hit by an airplane or other vehicle while running on the beach. But just in case, no headphones for me at the beach!

[TwilightGardener]

38. Man, when it's your time, it's your time. Can't outrun the reaper.

Think about it--he'd be alive today if he'd run a little faster or slower, or stopped to tie his shoelace.

[Renew Deal]

40. You don't know that.

He could have been killed on the way home or something else. That's life.

:shrug:

[hex29a]

47. Predestination? If that was true, you could jump off a 10 story building and survive

Not something I'd be willing to try to prove a theory... ;-)

[yellowcanine]

52. Not if you were predestined to jump off a 10 story bldg and kill yourself.

Good reason not to believe in predestination. We all have choices.

[hex29a]

66. Sure, the defense for predestination is that nothing we do can alter any events

which makes free will a little difficult. :D

It also makes praying a waste of time, eh?

But some people appear to believe both at the same time, and that really hurts my brain.

[Earth_First]

26. BAN IPODS!

BAN 'EM DANO!

[liberal N proud]

28. This is just one of those freak accidents

Ipod or not, what are the chances that a plane has to make an emergency landing while you are jogging on the beach?

million to one.

[Fumesucker]

31. It would be much worse than that if Toyota made airplanes..

:evilgrin:

[liberal N proud]

37. One incident vs. scores

Unless there is a rash of beach goers run down by airplanes, I wouldn't worry too much.

:rofl:

Enjoy the ride.

[Renew Deal]

39. Isn't life crazy?

This guy was in the exact wrong place at the exact wrong time.

[RamboLiberal]

42. That was my thought - bad karma in this one

I'm sure all of us have thought when in an accident - or if we encounter an accident on our usual route. If I had or hadn't left at this time....

[Renew Deal]

44. It's been on my mind a lot since the storm.

Two people died when they got hit by trees. They were in the wrong place at the wrong time. There were many many dangerous situations this weekend that thankfully people survived.

Imagine what would happen if someone walked out the door when this happened?


Or when this fell:


And thankfully this van was empty.

[BeFree]

46. Bad karma explains a lot

It is said that our future is just ahead of us and unconsciously we turn into it, or away from.

What I wonder is: what song was playing for this guy, and what song will I be hearing when the end cometh?

[Gold Metal Flake]

49. Bad karma?

What, he must have done something wrong and this is his payback? Blame the victim?

Karma is bullshit. But it sure makes the smug feel better about themselves.

[RamboLiberal]

55. When used in this way we're not literally talking about bad karma

as in he did something wrong and this was his payback. Geez chill.

Guess God had his name written down in that great book and it was his time to go.

Ok, so now who did I offend? :evilgrin:

[Gold Metal Flake]

62. I'm always seeing "karma" used around DU.

Mostly as a pressure-release valve. Karma will catch up with so-and-so.

I just finally had to pipe up about it. I'm in a cube and I can't fart so...

[Kaleva]

41. "...Coroner Ed Allen says he plans to conduct an autopsy."

To confirm the obvious?

[KittyWampus]

45. someone could be sleeping at home and this airplane might've crashed on top of them-

Sleeping. In their own home.

[PVnRT]

60. Asinine. The engine was off - how was he supposed to hear it?

Looks like another I'm-so-cool-because-I-hate-new-technology thread. Yawn.

[Xenotime]

63. Why didn't the pilot use his windshield wipers?

[hex29a]

67. Because they only smear oil around.

...

[WI_DEM]

64. Freak accident. Only bright spot is that he no doubt didn't know what hit him

and died instantly.

[Kaleva]

71. That only makes us feel better. He isn't laying on a slab counting his blessings.