Low-Altitude Maneuvering · NTSB CEN11LA606
BOEING A75N1(PT17) — Mt. Clemens, MI
| Date | August 21, 2011 |
| Location | Mt. Clemens, MI |
| Aircraft | BOEING A75N1(PT17) |
| Purpose of flight | Air Race/Show |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Maneuvering-low-alt flying Miscellaneous/other |
| Pilot age | 58 |
| Pilot total time | 41,000 hrs · High time |
| Time in type | 10,000 hrs |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Other/unknown - C
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Other/unknown - C
What happened
The accident occurred during an air show routine as a wing walker attempted an aerial transfer from an airplane to a helicopter. The pilots of both aircraft reported that the aerial transfer was planned to occur on the third pass along the air show line. The initial passes went according to plan. However, on the third pass, the wing walker attempted to grab the helicopter skid before the two aircraft reached the briefed transfer point. The helicopter pilot stated that the wing walker released his hold on the airplane handle and lunged with both hands for the helicopter skid before the aircraft were in position. He reported that the wing walker attempted to go back to the airplane, but was unable to grab on to anything. The wing walker subsequently fell, impacting a grass area within the air show performance area. Both aircraft involved landed safely after the accident, without damage to either aircraft. The wing walker sustained fatal injuries.