What happened? The pilot had left the autopilot engaged! He overrode it manually, and temporarily, before he stepped out. So after twenty seconds, the autopilot took control of the helicopter again. It was not equipped with devices to determine the location of the pilot, and whether the aircraft was, in fact, on the ground. To maintain course and airspeed, it moved the stick to the front and right. Unfortunately, it was front and right where the ex-pilot choose to do his business.

The passenger managed to call help, and land safely. The pilot died from his injuries, although that was about a year later.

What had happened? The pilot did not disengage the autopilot! He just overrode it manually and then stepped out. So, after about 20 seconds, the autopilot started to "fly" the helicopter again. To maintain course and airspeed, it moved the stick to the front and to the right. The autopilot was not equipped wich a device to determine wether the helicopter was on the ground or not. So the rotor blades lowered on the front right side, breaking a security ring in the rotor head in the process. Unfortunately, the pilot choose the front side of the helicopter for his business and was hit by the blades.

Submitted on 03/11/2007

Submitted by: Karl Bicker
Reference: http://www.bfu.admin.ch/common/pdf/1828 (German), 9 Oktobre 2001

Copyright © 2007 DarwinAwards.com

Bruce said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
At 85, and flying passengers for hire, this pilot certianly should have known how to handle his aircraft. Overriding the autopilot and then neglecting to disengage it sure sounds like a case of Darwin grade stupidity to me. Thanks, Karl!

Chip said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
In the quoted official reports there appear to be clear warnings in the manual of the consequences of leaving the autopilot engaged while on the ground. The pilot ignored these warnings, according to that report. I guess the urge to urinate was stronger than his urge to keep living. A definite Darwin in my book. Thanks for sending it, Karl

Shadow said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
This one is indeed Darwin quality, he was absolutely experienced enough to know better... but didn't I vote Darwin :)

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