KY Crash

[scottf]

Preliminary data from FAA (link) (http://www.faa.gov/data_statistics/accident_incident/preliminary_data/media/M_0919_N.txt)


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** Report created 9/19/2008 Record 1 **
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IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 317RW Make/Model: EXP Description: AFU RENEGADE POWERED PARACHUTE
Date: 09/18/2008 Time: 2345

Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: Serious Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Unknown

LOCATION
City: SHEPHERDSVILLE State: KY Country: US

DESCRIPTION
POLICE REPORTED AIRCRAFT, A POWERED PARACHUTE, CRASHED ON PRIVATE PROPERTY,
SHEPHERDSVILLE, KY

INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 0
# Crew: 1 Fat: 0 Ser: 1 Min: 0 Unk:
# Pass: 1 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk: 1
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:

WEATHER: 02005KTS 10SM FEW150 26/14

OTHER DATA
Activity: Unknown Phase: Unknown Operation: OTHER


FAA FSDO: LOUISVILLE, KY (CE17) Entry date: 09/19/2008

[Robert C. Wilmoth]

Hey Everyone,

I was the pilot in this Ky crash. I hit an unforeseen cow stopper. This is no fault but my own. It was an unfamiliar field which I had no business landing in. I've been telling myself I need to give it up. I suffered a huge gash in my leg from my steering cord. I do know one thing. If the cord cut just one inch above where it did, it would have got my carotid artery and I would have died within two minutes according to a paramedic.
I don't know if any of you have ever seen a nice big field and thought you would like to do a touch n go in it. That's what I did and now I'm paying for it. I spent ten days in the hospital, two surgeries, two ambulance rides and countless medical bills will be heading my way in the next few weeks. Yes, i do have insurance but I'm sure I'll be paying them for the rest of my life.
Will I fly again? If and when I can walk again, I may try. I will have to pass another FAA checkride. If anyone can tell me what I should study for this test, I would appreciate it.
My plane was not damaged significantly. It had one broken wheel, two fan cage supports, and two blades. The plane should be back to me this week where I'm hoping I can get the new blades on.
I don't need anyone telling me what I did wrong. I know what I did wrong. I need support and encouragement now as I am very depressed and worry that I won't lose my leg. Feel free to write as I lay on the couch all day and into the night reading, watching videos and checking my emails.

Robert

[biglake]

Robert, good luck with your recovery, I know what its like to be laid up after surgery. What exactly is a cow stopper, was it a fence. Once you get back in the air everything will be ok. Good luck Mark

[woodyking]

Good luck Robert, and as Mark said, all will be better once you get back in the air. I also had an accident, contruction though, when I was young and know that recovery can be slow and painful. But eventually it will all be behind you. Keep a positive outlook, and focus on a happy future. I'm curious about the cow stopper too.....? Hang on, Woody

[roger]

Hang tough Robert. You will make it. I also know how hard a long recovery can be. Got hurt pretty bad on the job. Took a year to get back to work. All will be well!
Treat the PPC like a horse. When you can, get back in the saddle and ride that filly.

[jumper]

Robert, Hope you have a speedy recovery. How in the world did your steering line cut your leg? Cow stopper? BTW your carotid artery is in your neck.

[texas_tl]

Wow, sounds scary. Thank you for sharing your experience so that others can learn from it and hopefully avoid a similar situation. I know it takes a lot of guts to post this type of information on these forums as sometimes folks can be very harsh.

I hope you have a speedy recovery and feel better soon!

For studying for a checkride, I used this book.
Sport Pilot Checkride: A Guide to Passing the FAA Practical Flight & Oral Exam (http://www.amazon.com/Sport-Pilot-Checkride-Passing-Practical/dp/1560277262/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&&tag=superhotdeal-20&s=books&qid=1223901277&sr=8-1)

[phil]

Hey Everyone,

I was the pilot in this Ky crash. I hit an unforeseen cow stopper. This is no fault but my own. It was an unfamiliar field which I had no business landing in. I've been telling myself I need to give it up. I suffered a huge gash in my leg from my steering cord. I do know one thing. If the cord cut just one inch above where it did, it would have got my carotid artery and I would have died within two minutes according to a paramedic.
I don't know if any of you have ever seen a nice big field and thought you would like to do a touch n go in it. That's what I did and now I'm paying for it. I spent ten days in the hospital, two surgeries, two ambulance rides and countless medical bills will be heading my way in the next few weeks. Yes, i do have insurance but I'm sure I'll be paying them for the rest of my life.
Will I fly again? If and when I can walk again, I may try. I will have to pass another FAA checkride. If anyone can tell me what I should study for this test, I would appreciate it.
My plane was not damaged significantly. It had one broken wheel, two fan cage supports, and two blades. The plane should be back to me this week where I'm hoping I can get the new blades on.
I don't need anyone telling me what I did wrong. I know what I did wrong. I need support and encouragement now as I am very depressed and worry that I won't lose my leg. Feel free to write as I lay on the couch all day and into the night reading, watching videos and checking my emails.

Robert


Robert,
Hope your recovery is speedy.

Passing a check ride, the book Travis posted is a good one, as well as having a current copy of the Practical Test Standards (PTS) This tells you what the test will cover, and you will need to be well versed on the material.
As an examiner, since you are doing this practical at the behest of the FAA, I & I think most PPC examiners will be going thru the test covering every area in great depth, and your flight test will, in all likelihood cover every ground reference maneuver, as a way to cover himself with the FAA in case you do happen to have another accident. Also, pay particular attention to the Aeronautical Decision Making process (ADM).
I also suggest you pich up a copy of the Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical knowledge, (FAA-H-8083-25) as well as a current FAR/AIM, and the powered parachute flying handbook (FAA-H-8083-29) would help as well. You may even want to do some ground school in areas you feel weak in.

[flynlow]

Robert,

I hope you have a speedy and full recovery. As others have pointed out, it's good for you to share so we don't make the same mistakes. I know I've made a few and been lucky.

You said it was an unfamiliar field, were you just doing a touch-n-go? What made you decide to land there? I've often dreamed of setting down somewhere, doing some fishing and then heading back into the air. These dreams were when I owned an ultralight, before my PPC days.

You also said you've been telling yourself to give it up. Have you had other incidents? Please don't think I'm bashing you, I'm only curious. I've seen guys who don't seem to have a feel for flying. I do believe in training, but I've been in aviation many years and I've seen some guys who never seem to get it. No matter how much training they have, nothing comes easy for them. I have one friend who continually tears up his equipment. I had another friend who was a great natural pilot. He went through a lot of training, bought an ultralight, only to find that flying was boring for him and now he doesn't fly at all. Everyone's different.

Jack

[kilowatt]

Bob,

I'm sorry to read about your unfortunate accident. I hope you have a complete recovery.
God Bless.

Kilowatt

[Robert C. Wilmoth]

Hey everyone,

It has been a long road but I have made a full recovery. I got my plane fixed. I took and passed my checkride and BFR. I have been up several times. The first time I was so scared. I kept thinking something was going to break. I doubted myself as a pilot. I didn't quit. I kept flying and got my confidence back. I now am very respectful of this hobby. I preflight every little thing. A couple of times I even found a busted fuel line and bearings going out in one of my tires. I did the repairs and got back in the air.
I want to thank all of you who responded in a positive manner. I had received some hate mail from a Trike pilot in Horse Cave, Ky which really disgusted me. I did not need that. I proved to myself that my passion is real and it helped me get back in the air. I really missed it. Again, thanks to all of you.
Does anyone know where I can get my plane re-wired for the radio. Each time I get in the air, I can never be heard nor can I hear anyone else. If you know of someone in the Ky/In area, please let me know.

[matttrue]

Hey Robert I talked with a guy a few miles away from Church hill he has one for sale so I went to look at it. He was telling me that there is a group of PPC pilots in Scottsburg, IN and he thought they worked on them as well there. I am going to try and make contact with them today or tommorrow. I am suppose to be off Thursday and Friday this week. Hope to make contact with you soon look forward to meeting you

[Danal Estes]

Hey everyone,

It has been a long road but I have made a full recovery. I got my plane fixed. I took and passed my checkride and BFR. I have been up several times. The first time I was so scared. I kept thinking something was going to break. I doubted myself as a pilot. I didn't quit. I kept flying and got my confidence back. I now am very respectful of this hobby. I preflight every little thing. A couple of times I even found a busted fuel line and bearings going out in one of my tires. I did the repairs and got back in the air.
I want to thank all of you who responded in a positive manner. I had received some hate mail from a Trike pilot in Horse Cave, Ky which really disgusted me. I did not need that. I proved to myself that my passion is real and it helped me get back in the air. I really missed it. Again, thanks to all of you.
Does anyone know where I can get my plane re-wired for the radio. Each time I get in the air, I can never be heard nor can I hear anyone else. If you know of someone in the Ky/In area, please let me know.

WOW, great story, and WELCOME BACK.

Thank you so much for posting the "year later" follow up.

[CJKRIT]

Robert,

I was very glad when I read your most recent post. This is so good also to see your positive attitude in this whole matter one year after the incident.

Everything of the best for you for the future and may there be many safe flying hours waiting for you to enjoy.

Regards,

Christo
South Africa

[Robert C. Wilmoth]

Christo,

It was nice to hear from you again. I always enjoyed the uplifting words you sent to me while I was recovering from my injuries. I am still not 100%. After a visit to my plastic surgeon today, he is quite concerned about the redness on my leg as well as blister boils forming. His staff fitted me with a Unaboot, a zinc oxide wrap that I must wear continuously for a week. If, after next Tuesday the boils are not gone and the redness hasn't lessened, he is sending me to a vascular specialist. It will be a day to day struggle for me.
I did take up an individual in his first PPC ride yesterday evening. I think he is hooked. Working for the FORD Motor Co., I'm sure he can afford one. I hope I can continue to fly others for as long as I can. With my leg problems and my Diabetes, I'm sure other complications may arise down the road. I just hope its later in my life than sooner.

Stay in touch,

Robert