Saturday, June 12, 2010

An amazing escape from near-disaster


This video documents an amazing escape (and a superb bit of piloting) during one of the Red Bull Air Race events, held earlier this month.







I note that his wife was in the crowd, and was visibly shaken to see that. I can't blame her! I bet he got a talking-to when he returned to their hotel room that night!

They don't come much closer than that. Kudos to the pilot for recovering from a situation that would have killed almost anyone else.

Peter

7 comments:

Morris said...

Very skilful to keep out of the water. That would sure get the adrenaline pumping!

Adilson Kindlemann wasn't so lucky here in Perth back in April.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rR68OIpcX4
His was the first crash in the Red Bull Race 7 yr history.

Noons said...

Yikes!!!!!

Kansas Scout said...

Skill yes. Lucky? Even more so. He knows it too.

Anonymous said...

The superior pilot uses his superior judgment to avoid situations which require a demonstration of his superior skill.

Good save just the same.

Jim

Old NFO said...

That was pure luck and damn fast reflexes... High speed departure stall, over 90 degrees, I'm amazed there was enough aileron authority to bring the wings level. Actually, as I go back and look at it, the wing tip slap actually forced the wing back level. He didn't panic, and managed to fly it out, so good on him.

On a Wing and a Whim said...

the tailcam video here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWcvmOD1BsA

In the slow-mo replay, the wing buffeting, left wing drop, nose drop, and loss of aileron authority (watch that right wing spade) is a lot more obvious. It seems that he unloaded just in time for the ailerons to act and hit the water level flight. Which, at the speed and G's he was flying, is absolutely amazing piloting.

Old NFO said...

Good points Wing, I didn't go back and look at slo-mo till you mentioned it...