Pending Review
Superman's Super Stupidity
As a US helicopter transited the Persian Gulf, a stunning realisation reached the pilots: Petty Officer 2nd Class Aviation Brian Joplin, 32, was dangling out the back of the aircraft. Attached by a ten foot strap, he was clinging down to a ring at the end being pulled along behind the chopper. Moments later, he lost his grip and fell to his death.
Had Brian somehow fallen from the aircraft, leaving him clinging on for dear life in a horrifying accident? Well... No. Not exactly.
It turns out the officer was engaged in what he and his mates had dubbed "Supermanning". This stunt saw him grab hold of the ring so he could deliberately jump from the helicopter, flying along behind it like the famed superhero. This could only happen when the helicopter's cargo was sufficient to obscure the pilots' view, preventing them from putting a stop to this super stupidity. Sadly for Brian, they caught him in the act mere seconds too late to save the super stupid superhero.
Submitted on 02/23/2021
Submitted by:
Iona Macdonald
Reference:
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2005/12/23/Navy-mans-death-blamed-on-supermanning/11371135364315/