Got this video on ArsTechnica’s OpenForum. Some twit decided that he’d just take up his brand-new chopper without his instructor around. Hilarity Ensues.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, here’s the NTSB report on the “incident”. I especially like how they say “Collided with the ground”. Sounds so much better than “crashing like a fucking tard”.

NTSB Identification: LAX87LA190 . The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 35617. 14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation Accident occurred Sunday, April 26, 1987 in RUBIDOUX, CA Probable Cause Approval Date: 2/17/89 Aircraft: HUGHES 269B, registration: N101DN Injuries: 1 Minor. A HUGHES 269B WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND DURING A T/O TO A HOVER. THE PILOT HAD PURCHASED THE AIRCRAFT RECENTLY AND WAS LEARNING TO FLY IT. HE WAS SCHEDULED FOR HIS FIRST FLIGHT LESSON ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. THE CFI REPORTED THAT HE HAD TOLD THE STUDENT PILOT TO WAIT FOR HIM AND NOT TO TOUCH ANYTHING. WHILE WAITING FOR THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, THE NON ROTORCRAFT RATED STUDENT PILOT STARTED THE AIRCRAFT, RAN IT UP TO FULL RPM, AND THEN BEGAN TO INCREASE THE COLLECTIVE PITCH CONTROL. THE HELICOPTER CLIMBED VERTICALLY TO A HIGH HOVER AND THE PILOT LOST CONTROL. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD NOT RELEASED THE CYCLIC FRICTION BEFORE BECOMING AIRBORNE. THE PILOT INDICATED HE HAD ABOUT500 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME BUT DID NOT SPECIFY THE TYPE AND NO SUBSTANTIATION OF THE TIME COULD BE MADE. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: DIRECTIONAL CONTROL..NOT MAINTAINED..DUAL STUDENT JUDGMENT..POOR..DUAL STUDENT VERTICAL TAKEOFF..UNCONTROLLED..DUAL STUDENT INSTRUCTIONS,WRITTEN/VERBAL..DISREGARDED..DUAL STUDENT Index for Apr1987 | Index of months