- Joined
- Oct 30, 2003
- Messages
- 18,363
- Location
- Santa Maria, California
- Aircraft
- Givens Predator
- Total Flight Time
- 2600+ in rotorcraft
Tonight I was working on the rotor head of the Predator standing near the top of my 10 foot ladder when my lack of balance caught up with me. I had one foot on the engine and she rocked back and I fell to the concrete floor on my face and left leg. I can’t tell that I am out of balance until it is too late because of my brain injury. I landed flat on my face and my leg hit a foot stool before I landed in a heap.
I suspect I was working to miss the horizontal stabilizer.
I am usually hanging on to something to steady myself. The rotor blade wasn’t much support.
I could have been killed, I could have exacerbated my head injury, I could have knocked my teeth out and I could have broken my leg.
I was alone in the hangar and this could have made it worse.
Instead because of my luck I have a bruised leg and a split lip.
I would like to remind people that ladders are dangerous and they seem to be a necessary part of working on a gyroplane. Please, the next time you start up a ladder look around and see what there is to hit if you fall over and make sure you are doing everything you can to not get hurt.
Putting my foot on the engine was asking for trouble and I have done it before and nearly come to grief. I did not learn my lesson. I will probably forget this lesson when my leg stops hurting.
I have trouble remembering I am not 17 and indestructible.
Thank you, Vance
I suspect I was working to miss the horizontal stabilizer.
I am usually hanging on to something to steady myself. The rotor blade wasn’t much support.
I could have been killed, I could have exacerbated my head injury, I could have knocked my teeth out and I could have broken my leg.
I was alone in the hangar and this could have made it worse.
Instead because of my luck I have a bruised leg and a split lip.
I would like to remind people that ladders are dangerous and they seem to be a necessary part of working on a gyroplane. Please, the next time you start up a ladder look around and see what there is to hit if you fall over and make sure you are doing everything you can to not get hurt.
Putting my foot on the engine was asking for trouble and I have done it before and nearly come to grief. I did not learn my lesson. I will probably forget this lesson when my leg stops hurting.
I have trouble remembering I am not 17 and indestructible.
Thank you, Vance