NTSB: Dropped iPad takes down helicopter
- Thread starter t3chiman
- Start date
FastEddieB
Touchdown! Greaser!
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- Oct 14, 2013
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- Lenoir City, TN/Mineral Bluff, GA
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Fast Eddie B
Sad.
We periodically have discussions here about the best way to mount/carry an iPad in the cockpit. People often opine that it’s handiest in their lap or on the passenger seat next to them. And I’ll speak up about the inherent danger having things like this unsecured in the cockpit - though unlikely, an unexpected bit of turbulence or aggressive maneuvering can send things flying in an unpredictable manner. And with possible dire consequences, as in the case here.
I have a friend who had to maneuver aggressively to avoid a midair. An unsecured object flew up and cracked his canopy. Not comparable at all to loss of life, but an expensive lesson nonetheless.
We periodically have discussions here about the best way to mount/carry an iPad in the cockpit. People often opine that it’s handiest in their lap or on the passenger seat next to them. And I’ll speak up about the inherent danger having things like this unsecured in the cockpit - though unlikely, an unexpected bit of turbulence or aggressive maneuvering can send things flying in an unpredictable manner. And with possible dire consequences, as in the case here.
I have a friend who had to maneuver aggressively to avoid a midair. An unsecured object flew up and cracked his canopy. Not comparable at all to loss of life, but an expensive lesson nonetheless.