Big Don
Sr. Grandmaster
Plane passenger accidentally activates ejector seat - and survives
A civilian passenger in an air force display plane accidentally activated the ejector seat while reaching for something to steady himself during a mid-air manoeuvre.
Published: 7:14PM GMT 01 Nov 2009 Telegraph.co.uk EXCERPT:
The novice flier instantly shot through the jet's perspex canopy and was blasted 100 metres into the sky by the rocket-powered emergency chair.
Experts said the man was lucky to escape unharmed following the bizarre incident, which happened on Wednesday in South Africa.
It is thought he activated the ejector seat after lurching forward during an aerobatic manoeuvre and accidentally pulling on the black and yellow emergency handle between his legs.
The lever is fitted as standard in the Pilatus PC-7 Mk II jets to allow pilots and their passengers to eject from the aircraft in the event of an emergency.
As soon as it was activated, the ejection sequence activated two rockets attached to the back of his chair.
END EXCERPT
That HAD to be AWESOME! The military takes ALL kinds of people for these joyrides. If I ever get the chance, I'd definatly punch out, it's a once in a lifetime chance, what are they going to do, send a bill?
A civilian passenger in an air force display plane accidentally activated the ejector seat while reaching for something to steady himself during a mid-air manoeuvre.
Published: 7:14PM GMT 01 Nov 2009 Telegraph.co.uk EXCERPT:
The novice flier instantly shot through the jet's perspex canopy and was blasted 100 metres into the sky by the rocket-powered emergency chair.
Experts said the man was lucky to escape unharmed following the bizarre incident, which happened on Wednesday in South Africa.
It is thought he activated the ejector seat after lurching forward during an aerobatic manoeuvre and accidentally pulling on the black and yellow emergency handle between his legs.
The lever is fitted as standard in the Pilatus PC-7 Mk II jets to allow pilots and their passengers to eject from the aircraft in the event of an emergency.
As soon as it was activated, the ejection sequence activated two rockets attached to the back of his chair.
END EXCERPT
That HAD to be AWESOME! The military takes ALL kinds of people for these joyrides. If I ever get the chance, I'd definatly punch out, it's a once in a lifetime chance, what are they going to do, send a bill?