Nasty line injury (cautionary tale)

I was flying up at Arlington (Washington) today for a few hours, and as I was packing up, a flier that I've known for a long time (identity not important but we'll call him Don because... that's his name) showed up with a large bandage on the index finger of his left hand.

Here's what happened (painful but instructive): Don flies with somewhat questionable gear, and in this case one of his lines broke right at the crimp, at the handle end. His plane (Ringmaster) went into "endless loop" mode, flying on just the up line. The broken down line had wrapped itself around the up line, within reach of the handle, so rather than let the plane pancake in at the bottom of a loop, Don thought maybe he could get control by grabbing the broken line. Bad idea!

He grabbed the down line with his left hand then instinctively took a wrap of it around one finger. At this sudden change in control, the plane got into the wrong attitude, came in on the lines, then flew back out of the circle with a jerk that nearly cut the end of his finger off. Ten stitches, could have been much worse.

Makes my finger hurt just thinking about it.

>I was flying up at Arlington (Washington) today for a few
>hours, and as I was packing up, a sport flier that I've
>known for a long time (identity not important but we'll call
>him Don because... that's his name) showed up with a large
>bandage on the index finger of his left hand.
>
>Here's what happened (painful but instructive): Don flies
>with somewhat questionable gear, and in this case one of his
>lines broke right at the crimp, at the handle end. His plane
>(Ringmaster) went into "endless loop" mode, flying on just
>the up line. The broken down line had wrapped itself around
>the up line, within reach of the handle, so rather than let
>the plane pancake in at the bottom of a loop, Don thought
>maybe he could get control by grabbing the broken line. Bad
>idea!
>
>He grabbed the down line with his left hand then
>instinctively took a wrap of it around one finger. At this
>sudden change in control, the plane got into the wrong
>attitude, came in on the lines, then flew back out of the
>circle with a jerk that nearly cut the end of his finger
>off. Ten stitches, could have been much worse.
>
>Makes my finger hurt just thinking about it.

Another one for the database. NEVER touch the lines when they are slack and the engine is running. Just like a saw.

" Keep 'yer hands away from those lines Hooper, I've seen 'em take fingers off down to the knuckle. Old sailors homes are full've 'em like that...", or something to that effect. My apologies to Robert Shaw, GRHS.
Chris...

Ditto:

One of my flying buddies (about 10 years back) grabbed the lines when they went slack in a manuever to try to save the plane (an old beater profile no less) and one of them wrapped around his finger. Plane jerked the lines tight again and cut off his finger. Guys he was with had their heads screwed on straight, put the finger on ice, and rushed him to the ER. 6 hours of micro-surgery, months of physical therapy, and he has about 85% usage of the finger.

Dave,

Thanks for the advice. OWCH!!!!!!

While I feel for Don, especially as I got my first Bolly Bite this morning, don't overlook Dave's description of Don's equipment. Understated but accurate.

With decent lines which are in good shape and looked at once in a while, a model that doesn't fly like a roach, there never would have been desperate circumstances in the first place. Don is the sort of fellow with the type of equipment that begs to be pull-tested prior to each and every flight. Alas, that never happens...

I do have a funny story to add, first noting that Don is a long-time friend of mine. I was at the same Arlington, WA field and had for some reason fixated on my ARF Flite Streak. As in if it wasn't flying I was fueling it.

Don and a friend pulled in and unloaded. As did two or three other fliers. And several fliers who just dropped by without equipment. I kept on flying. And flying. And flying.

Don would sometimes start an engine as I landed. Just as a hint, don't ya know. He even had his lines all laid out. (But not, I can assure you, pull tested. Might break 'em and then he wouldn't be able to fly.)

Finally, as I was putting more fuel in the tank one of Don's non-flying friends kinda sidled over and asked if anybody else could use the circle.

My response was that, no, others weren't going to be using that particular circle any time soon, as I was not yet done flying, still had the Oriental to work on, maybe my Impact.

Now you have to understand this is one huge field, all grass, no obstructions, you can even drive your car right out in the middle of the field and have your own private circle.

So I continued telling him, while looking around, that while circle number one was in active use, it appeared to me as if circles number 2 through number 12 were inactive. He just ambled away; and while I no doubt did not make a new friend, what in the world did he expect me to do? Move my stuff to circle number 4?

I've also done this once. Never again. I was very lucky, just a nasty slash, but it was patently obvious it could, or ought to have been a lot worse.

I found this out the hard way last year. No stitches, but deep bloody groove.

By the way...last July, Don showed up at the Wright Bros. Centennial Stunt Clinic (etc.), and wanted to fly/enter/have his model flown by PW, etc. AMA Card? None. Sorry, Don, you're NOT flying. How about joining on the field? No, it costs too much.

Now, we know that anybody flying at the Arlington Airport site is a) supposed to have AMA membership and b) register & fill out the "hold harmless agreement" with Arlington Airport. We know it's useless, Mitch, but they want it, so we try to comply. Anyway, if anybody has a good idea of what to do with good ol' Don next time up there, I'm all ears.

Should several of us just gang up, and ask Don if he has his AMA membership card handy? What if he doesn't? Should we escort him to his vehicle and send him on his way? Should we call for Arlington's Boys in Blue as a last resort? Won't they need to call the airport office (closed on weekends) to find out what to do? Can this be a "good thing" for our continued use of this fantastic piece of property? How about we get Scott C. (retired police Lt.) and Lee U. (Don's most likely flying "buddies") to give him a stern lecture? My apologies for taking this thread off-subject...but Don is part of the subject. His equipment worries me.

What would you do?> Steve

Well...

I didn't start this thread to bash somebody I personally have a lot of respect for (I've known Don since I was 13). Let's learn from his mistake (as he will) and let it go at that. Please.

I'll work on him to get that AMA card. Heck, maybe I'll buy him a birthday present.

Dave

It sounds like some of you guys don't know this yet but ANYBODY can have a line break. AT the 2002 Nats at least 3 people lost there plane from a broken line. I think this post was set up by Dave to remind us of what some of the possibilities are.
Thanks, Dave

True enough, John. What concerns me is a guy that breaks lines and doesn't have AMA insurance. If he lives in an apartment, chances are there's no insurance to cover his actions. Homeowner's insurance generally will be primary bill payer on these things. I wanted you guys that are up there more often to know, that's all. Done. Steve

Yeouch! I did this once too but the plane went in before the lines tightened up again. Guess I was lucky to lose just a plane and not my fingers too.

I did learn about tightening though when, later, a plane went slack during a wingover and then jerked the handle from my hand when it reached the other side. Thank God for the lanyard. I was lucky enough to save that flight, don't know how or why that plane didn't end up in the ground too.

Whoops . Jim went to the hospital to get his finger sewed back on.
I beleive it was successful.

OK, Charlie,
You been hangin' 'round Bus and "don't touch me" TOOOOOOOO long.
Who the heck is Jim?????
Bill <><
P.S. Marshall and Mack are BAD influences on a young, innocent guy like you.

Steve has identified a problem, and it is a real problem. This one might resolve itself, I hope so as I simply don't have the heart to stomp up and down on Don until he comes into line with both AMA insurance and being on the magic list of people allowed to fly at this site.

Still, a lot of us find ourselves in similar situations: AMA membership is required, we've got it. Owners of the site want to know who is using their land, we comply. Gotta have safe equipment, so we do our best. Even if only in a selfish way, as in we don't want to lose a model to foolishness.

But all it takes is one fellow who feels AMA is not worth it to him--a defensible position for people in certain circumstances and unlikely to fly in a contest--and a really juicy accident to get all our shorts in a big wad.

The real problem, or at least potential problem, is that the biggest losers on a deal like this can be, generally are in fact, those that belong to AMA, follow the wishes of the site owner and have safe equipment.

The fellow in this tale is an awfully nice guy, a long-time friend.

Seems to come down to risk versus reward, does it not?

I don't feel like risking this site.

Not even for an old friend.

Bill
I tried to put this reply in 3 times. When you type like I do, thats a real effort.
Jim Tate was flying his piped plane alone on rain soaked asphalt;
As he was walking to the circle the plane started moving across the wet asphalt , pulling the tool box stooge behind it.
the stooge was tripped and Jim turned around in time to see the plane break ground and come after him(6-8 ft.) He reached up and grabbed the lines ; When the plane got to the end of the lines, it severed his finger.He left the plane to go to the hospital after phoning his wife to have a friend come get the plane.
When the friend got there , the plane was gone , never to be seen again.
The finger was reattached successfully I beleive.
If this doesn,t get in this time please let me know and I will try again.(maybe I have been around M&B too long.\
Don,t worry about the hat untill you get the snowman Built