Roman Pirozek Investigation Results?

[Yfbb]

Originally Posted by Atomic Skull

One thing I worry about is the FAA deciding that big helis are simply too inherently dangerous to be flown as recreational machines and outright banning them except as FAA certified airframes with mandatory performance restrictions in place (e.g. mechanical limits of collective pitch range) and special training required for operation.

Don't think this could happen? Sale of lawn darts is now banned because they were deemed "too dangerous" and it's even against the law to give away an existing set.

IMO the most important factor the frequency of accidents more so than the severity. I also think who's getting hit is also more important than how many people are getting. Lawn dart accidents were probably much more frequent than heli accidents and those injured were likely not the ones throwing them. As long as bystanders aren't getting hit somewhat frequently, I doubt the FAA will do anything.

That said, nothing's for sure.

[H2SO4]

The number of people hurt by RC aircraft of all types is still thankfully vanishingly low, as demonstrated by Joe Public's total lack of awareness of the dangers involved. Many of us have seen "civilians" suddenly appear too close to our helis, even at clubs and designated flying areas. The pervasive mindset is "RC = toy = cannot hurt me".

That may change if and when delivery quads start falling out of the sky, but for now I believe the RC heli hobby is unlikely to be singled out for extra legislation.

[dyuen888]

[Andreas correll]

I think it should be required viewing for all Pilots it's sad that he died but the benefit of seeing that picture ,far outweigh any discomfort of the gruesomeness, I too have been hit by a large helicopter my story is up, I would have benefited greatly I believe if I had seen that picture I would have never flown so close to myself, as far as being disrespectful I find that hard to believe I'll bet his parents I think that if one person can be saved from their tragedy it's not disrespectful

[DaveH2]

Originally Posted by Andreas correll

I would have benefited greatly I believe if I had seen that picture I would have never flown so close to myself, as far as being disrespectful I find that hard to believe I'll bet his parents I think that if one person can be saved from their tragedy it's not disrespectful

I don't buy that. People see a pic like that and cringe, say "holy crap", and things like that. Then they hit the field and go back at it. There have been countless pics up for years of the effects a large Heli has when it impacts a human... Maybe not deaths involved, but some of them looked like they should have been. Gory stuff. That said, people seem to somehow have an innate ability to think it can never happen to them... A picture isn't going to change that.

As far as his family goes, I can't imagine what they would feel like if they happened across that pic.

[yakky]

I think there is a large percentage of people that just can't handle the truth and don't want to learn from tragedy.

[HeliSmith]

The truth is many of our hobbies may kill us. Seeing pictures of what can happen to a motorcycle enthusiast isn't going to keep him from riding how he wants. It's fine to put your story up here in an attempt to make some people realize how dangerous these things are. A lot of folks are in denial of what can happen.

I've been flying since 2006 and I've never seen anyone get hurt by a heli beyond small cuts from the smaller ones. It's important to keep perspective of how rare an incident like this is.

[dodgey]

Oh I dunno. I've seen the pic recently and it has made me a LOT more respectful of my 700.

[rdlohr]

I always had respect for large helis. That picture sticks in my mind and will never go away. As much respect as I inherently had, I have more as a result of that picture. That positive has come from this unfortunate event. Even with that said, I feel horrible that Roman's family has had to endure the fact that picture was released. I will pause for a moment of silence next time I fly.

Rick

[jasond1979]

Did we ever find out what happened, was it the DFC head failing?

[Aussie John]

I believe I know what happened.
After his death I watched a lot of Roman's videos and he very often preformed an autorotation where he landed his heli just a few feet in front of himself.
I believe he miscalculated and the heli came down on top of him verticality. Lpl
This also fits with the injury pattern on his forehead and face (I have see the photo).
Some of his other videos show him landing a heli on a table that he's seated at just inches away from himself.
After 30 years flying RC helicopters his death and 'that' photo of him have instilled a new appreciation of the dangers involved and my responsibilities as a RC heli pilot.
May his death not be in vain.