I'm going over to Doug Castro's house. You all can reach me there.

Todd, you're ignoring Jason's Ocean argument.

Jason, you're ignoring the fact that in the heat of the moment the pilot's thinking was probably not clear and concise.

It's 2 different events.

1. The prop came off. This was an accident.

2. He landed on the populated beach. This was a decision made by the pilot. NOT an accident.

If he couldn't see out the windshield then how did he land on the beach?

He was going 230 knots. He must've been over 13000 feet. So he had 15 or 20 minutes to decide to land on the beach?

Even if he had 1 minute to decide, he should've ditched in the ocean.

Why are ya'll getting so upset over a legitimate debate?? This is a great argument. This is a great topic.

If people can quit getting all "emotional" it'll be ok.

A good point I concede.

Guys,
Take a breath.

We really don't know enough facts to make all these judgements.

What caused the loss of the prop?
How much was his visibility restricted?
Did he have any idea he was over Hilton Head beach?
Did he know it was a "populated" beach?
Did he really not think that there was anyone on that beach at that time?
How much adrenaline was pumping?
Could any of us here have done better?

I fly near beaches all the time, and I've considered them to be potential landing spots in an emergency. If I used the beach in an emergency and that killed someone, I'd....... well, I don't know what I'd do.

Can't we just take a breath here and knock the testosterone levels down a couple notches?

About 10 or so years ago, a woman landed her no power plane on GA400 here in Atlanta. It was rush hour.

The plane hit a van and killed a woman and her 2 children.

How would you find out how that event played out?

Rob,

You started this sh** fest by arguing that this pilot is a criminal. It's bedtime for you.

Tomorrow you can some more.

I'm sorry, you would prosecute him and then his family would find someone bring forth a civil lawauit.

Robert, you do not know me at all and you never will because you want a contract for everything and everyone is out to get you. The people I deal with do it with a handshake and a beer afterwords. I just sold two twin engine planes for over $300k done with no contract and no ill feelings. My reputation speaks for itself on this board. I have no degree and don't make a lot of money, but one thing I know is that the Founding Fathers of this once great nation would join me in that one-room house in Idaho before they would live in a plush New York apartment with a bunch of vultures robbing our nation of the freedoms that their brothers died for.

Ok, go ahead and kick me off now.

Being in the club of fellows who have survived an engine out, I am here to say that when the unexpected happens, your brain shrinks to the size of a pea. You are lucky to complete checklists (if you remember to use them,) lucky to complete the task at hand, and there is a good chance that you will screw something up.

This poor bastard did most everything right, but chose the beach and hit a jogger. In my case, I was sad enough about wrecking my airplane, but I can't imagine the grief about killing someone on the ground. I think about that every day that I traverse LA in a single engine airplane and am constantly making choices about a suitable bailout in this densely urban environment. I guarantee you that if you actually have a prop depart your airplane, you are blown away, in disbelief, then your senses slowly come back to you and you start the process of trying to save your own butt and keeping your wits about you. You are dealing with the CG and flying, you are thinking you have a chance to make the airport, then you have to choose your poison... perhaps he built this airplane himself and has a lot invested, both money and emotion... the windshield is covered in oil and he can barely contain his panic... God knows what his passenger is doing. Something inside him says that safety is on the beach. Don't know what his training or his equipment is for a water ditch is. (By the way, it is 88% survivable, per Doug Ritter.) The poop is coming really fast now. The ground is getting closer and closer... maintain your airspeed... damn... the flare is coming fast...

No, no, no... we are safe, but I think I hit something. Oh my god, please no. I want to cry. Why me?

For all of you that can judge, I hope you don't have to test your wits in the same circumstance. The jogger never knew what hit him. I can think of worse ways to die. For the pilot, he will replay the circumstance every day in his mind and wish he had done something different. I know I do and I simply wrecked my plane.

Keep training and expect the worst. I hope I pass the test.

I'm sorry, you would prosecute him and then his family would find someone bring forth a civil lawauit.

Robert, you do not know me at all and you never will because you want a contract for everything and everyone is out to get you. The people I deal with do it with a handshake and a beer afterwords. I just sold two twin engine planes for over $300k done with no contract and no ill feelings. My reputation speaks for itself on this board. I have no degree and don't make a lot of money, but one thing I know is that the Founding Fathers of this once great nation would join me in that one-room house in Idaho before they would live in a plush New York apartment with a bunch of vultures robbing our nation of the freedoms that their brothers died for.

Ok, go ahead and kick me off now.

Good perspective post

I want a twin.

I agree that it's an extremely difficult situation I hope I am never in.

But we all know this before we ever turn the engine on.

Apartment? I live in a plush New York town house thank you very much.

Todd, seriously, brother you must chill. I realize your avatar features a really big scary firearm and everything, so I'm probably tempting fate by saying so, but if you keep it up I'm going to notify your AME that whatever psychotropic drugs he is giving you are clearly causing some really nasty side effects.

Jason's right -- this is an interesting debate? Why can't we argue without fighting and personalizing all this? I mean I realize I just personalized it myself, but to quote Rambo, who no doubt stands with you and the Founding Fathers and the Archangel Gabriel in defending this Once Mighty Land from godless heathens and Democrats etc etc etc: "You drew first blood."