NTSB: Dropped iPad takes down helicopter

t3chiman

Pre-Flight
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May 18, 2017
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t3chiman
CEN22FA331 has the story. Briefly, on a firefighting mission, one pilot dropped his iPad. It jammed a pedal, and they lost control. The NTSB reenacted the scenario, in great detail.
 
. Interesting investigation!
 
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.
 
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