Sling-wing pilot dies from contact with main rotor

That, sadly, is thinning of the herd. It's a phenomenon called blade sailing. It happens when RPM is a slower than flight RPM (usually at ground idle). There is not enough centrifugal force to hold the blades out straight, and a gust of wind can make them go pretty wild.

He seems to have violated two principles.

1. You don't leave the collective and cyclic unguarded unless you have a positive control lock on both -- friction locks like many helicopters have don't cut it -- you should be holding the collective full down and keep the cyclic centered.

2. You should always bend at the waist when you're under the rotor disc, even if the controls are guarded. I always cover that in my PAX briefing, but I normally won't let them out with the rotor in motion unless there is somebody who is experienced in heli ops to escort them.

Senseless loss of life...
 
Too bad.

Thanks for the information Bob. I was curious how he could have gotten hit.
 
Prob. a rare occurance with the main rotors Bob?

Most just walk into the rear ones?
 
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