Todd Sanderson wrote:
What if his prop would have fallen out of the sky and hit the jogger? Should the pilot be prosecuted then also?


That's not the same thing and the answer is NO.


Why is that different? If you are responsible for hitting a person on the ground with the plane because you have a choice where to land then you are also responsible for the prop striking someone because you have a choice to operate that airplane or leave it on the ground. There is no difference. The choice was made to fly the plane that day and someone died. The guy had no intentions of killing anyone that day and did not have reason to believe he would kill someone on the beach. It is not like he crashed into a crowd of people that was easily seen. He hit one person by exteme chance.

Our glider field had a popular walking path crossing right at the runway threshold. While we didn't have them on the Club planes, some of the private owners had little air-horns to shoo away the gawkers (the ones who thought that the sign 'don't stop, low-flying aircraft' was some sort of joke)

Jason,
With all due respect, you are simply taking this all too far. You're making assumptions that are just ridiculous. Re-read what you wrote in the sentence above....

He didn't "choose to kill" anyone, nor was he "guaranteed life".

IMO, you're too emotionally wrapped up in this discussion, and you need to give it a break. You've lost your objectivity here.

OK, let's say that's true. Are you now saying he shouldn't get sued? Do you think he will get sued?

What are we saying? I can agree that this whole debate is a matter of opinion. That's fine. But what's the bottom line?

Good. So, I'm not crazy thinking that was a valid idea.

Good. So, I'm not crazy thinking that was a valid idea.

Jason,
I realize now that replying is futile.

Never mind.

Im sorry..... But sometimes life just gets to bizzare to believe. Im picturing this airplane flaring over the beach....the pilot, who incidentally is flying the side stick controller with his left hand...is leaning over with his right hand holding his AIR HORN, out the opening window he DOESNT HAVE and blasting away. To scare away the pedestrians he CANT SEE anyway through the oil.

Lets take it step furthur. Aerosol air horns can lose pressure over time. Maybe a bicycle horn with a squeeze bulb? Mounted like an old time Venturi on the side of the cockpit. Either way the poor guy would think a flock of Geese was flyin g over.

How about a Duke's of Hazzard rebel song on a PA horn mounted under the wing secured with deck screws?

Better yet, let's require that all ipods have an emergency alert radio that receives the distress call of an airplane that is crash landing so they can be warned. I am sure everyone would agree that is a good idea.

At the end of the day, if he had hit a loved one of mine, I'd have to kick him in the nuts!

Back to the discussion......

There's only one possible explanation and it puts and end to this entire exchange.

If he had been flying a BEECHCRAFT?
A. The prop would still be on it
B. The jogger would be having that Maritini (shaken not stirred)
C. IF the worst had happened he would have had a little window to TOOT his AIR HORN through.

Simple logic.

Tom's approach sounds very reasonable to me

Oh God Jeff......when I could get up off the floor and wipe the tears from my face...get my breath back...I havent laughed that hard in ten minutes!
Im still out of control....
Pictures worth a thousand words.....that little horn???? Here I go again....

When you can keep your sense of humor when all around are losing theirs.....etc etc

Then I remember how this all got started.......so.....I think its

Great point Paul, $1M has not been enough for a long time; considering the damage potential that aircraft have. If you have significant assets to protect I recommend getting an excess policy or higher limits when possible.

It's estimated that the average wrongful death settlement in the US arising from aviation losses is $5M per person. This is an average that includes the lowest of settlements to the highest of settlements (for folks with high earning potential, dependents, etc...)

Alejandro

OK, then quit arguing.