The passing of F1 legend Niki Lauda

Bill

Touchdown! Greaser!
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Apologies if this was posted before, but I don't believe I've seen it here at PoA yet. So why post of a three time F1 world champion race car driver on pilot board? Because after his racing years Niki owned several airlines and was an ATP type rated in the 767 and actually captained some of his airlines flights. He also overcame great odds after a bad crash in 1976 that left him burned and disfigured.

But probably his greatest lasting legacy is his dogged determination in discovering the real reasons for the loss of Lauda Air flight 004. Up until that time, it was widely held that an umcommanded TR deployment in flight was not a severe emergency. Investigation led to the discovery that uncommanded TR deployment on newer airliners (due to engine design and engine placement) is a catastrophic event, and is not recoverable. As a result, positive mechanical interlocks were added to the 767 fleet, as well as other similarly designed airliners. AFAIK, there hasn't been another TR incident on these airliners.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/48348202

https://lessonslearned.faa.gov/ll_main.cfm?TabID=3&LLID=34&LLTypeID=2

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lauda_Air_Flight_004
 
History has a way of repeating itself.

He wasn't all that old.
 
Not sure why, but less than a year ago he had a lung transplant. There was speculation it was from damage from his accident in 1976, but there are other reports that it was unrelated.
 
Less well known than his various airlines (Lauda Air, Niki, Laudamotion) is the fact that he was involved a utility helicopter operation. There are lots of transmitter sites, mountain lodges, ski-lifts in the alps and 'Lauda Air Two' was one of the operators that supported those with long-line operations. I was hiking in austria some time in the 80s when one of their MD500s came up a narrow draw with a cargo net full of fuel barrels. I had never seen this done before and thought it was one of the coolest things you could do for a living.
 
Happen to be in Garmisch...big news around here and will be missed...
 
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