From our files … - Brief Article

Approach, Oct, 2002

Attempted Bailout

9-09-24-3 9-24-59 Flight Hayard AD-6

LTJG H. I. Feukilman No injury

The night was extremely & unusually dark, without a horizon & cumulus clouds which could not be seen were present. These conditions made visual flying treacherous. The majority of flying was done under instruments; however, visual attitude was used frequently. The pilot was relatively inexperienced in actual flying.

The pilot experienced a form of fascination which was followed by true "vertigo" at low altitude. During this period he was incapable of controlling his aircraft. He attempted to bailout while highly excited. He held the parachute D-ring in his hand, crouched in the seat, & then attempted to exit from the cockpit. When he entered the windblast his right arm was violently jerked back & the D-ring was pulled. The pilot chute streamed along the canopy. Fearing that the chute was entangled the pilot sat back down & regained control of the A/C. With plane under control, he gathered in his chute, sat on it & closed the canopy.

He experienced "vertigo" a second time. He promptly went on instruments & was able to control the airplane satisfactorily.