DHC-2 Plane Crash May 2008 YXL (Pilot`s account)

[flyinthebug]

A few months ago I did a video on youtube, that explained my crash and survival of my Beaver crash in 2008.

About 7 mins of the 11 mins are about the crash and 4 mins or so about my Near Death Experience.

I`ve had a few pilot friends of mine suggest I should post it here and see what kinda comments I might get.

According to TC, I was the 1st pilot to survive an "unsurvivable" crash (their stats and words) in a DHC2 with a full engine failure below 400' since 1994...and there was only one other they knew of in Canada since they starting keeping stats.

As for my anonymous handle on here...I have posted my real name to posts in the past and for job offers from our company, so all it would take is a search to find where I signed my name. Like ., I stand behind the words I type on here and have no problem if people know who I am.

To those who take the time to view the video, thank you, and I invite your comments (good or bad).

Fly safe all.

*Edit...video removed for personal reasons. Thanks again for all the comments. Fly safe as always, FTB

[Rudder Bug]

Thank you so much for sharing. Your eyes don't look as bad as you think!

Gilles

[pdw]

The rescuer, first responder chopper pilot, is a part in your 'discovery' of this (a validation), as are the two TC witnesses in that meeting at the hospital where you awoke. And there's "the doctors", with their description later on of the "bilocation" examples they are aware of from other trauma cases. Unique circumstances, amazing ... (IMO sounds like a miracle).

At a funeral in Niagara recently a close friend told of such an out of body experience example witnessed with the 'departed' years earlier (the friend having being there similarly to this "helicopter pilot" but no other witnesses), yet they'd never spoke about it to others before that.

A very powerful experience to share.

Peter

[floats4fun]

So no one ever found out how the bloody towels managed to get to the shoreline? This is crazy. Thank you for this story. Glad you are ok.

[Rudy]

Very interesting video. I'm glad you lived to make it.

So no one ever found out how the bloody towels managed to get to the shoreline? This is crazy. Thank you for this story. Glad you are ok.

Crows maybe? Or any other number of animals in the North woods that would be attracted to blood covered paper towels.

Sounds like OP had a very powerful experience. Out of body events are being reported so often that it makes you wonder what's happening. Some hospital operating rooms even have hidden messages in bright lettering that can only be read from someone above. Unfortunately no one has been able to report back the message yet.

[bverwegen]

Miraculous outcome and very happy and encouraged for the way things went for you...thank you for sharing flyinthebug!

[Changes in Latitudes]

That was an incredible story, and I salute your bravery in sharing the details. I certainly sympathize with all the things you had to give up due to the event in exchange for an insight that few people on the planet will ever comprehend (at least while in this living state).

I honestly don't know how I'd handle something like that.

[slowstream]

Thank you for sharing your inspiring story of honesty, humility and strength!

Clearly God and the angels were with you and watched over you.

I am happy that you are still here with your family and sharing your experience with all of us.

[spaner]

Nice topic change for the forum, and glad to see that you are doing so well these days.

I've been there a few times. It's hard, if not impossible to enlighten others to the experience. It's a story, and words simply do not communicate the meaning. How could they?

Time crawl. An interesting thing. Milliseconds become minutes and the experience ramps up to HD quality. In group settings, I've found it interesting that some people become as calm as cucumbers, others go feral; reactionary. Especially females, they tend to scream; as a protection mechanism.
The one thing that I could do without, whilst checking-out, is the sound of a wailing woman. You know, after you've made your peace and all that, and you're ready to go....this all happens in 3 seconds.
The second part. I could write a book (coma both times). It takes years to puzzle it out; forget trying to explain it to others. At least I have. I usually don't talk about it, because the subject bounces off the "crazy" border line. Regardless of opinion, people will still cut you some slack citing "traumatic experience".
So, your good either way.

Death is nothing to fear. Is a statement, and meaningless without the experience. Also hard to explain the mindset. You don't seek it out, you're just not concerned about it anymore as a "concept". "Everybody want go heaven, but no one want dead". One of my favorite move quotes

Live long and prosper...my friend.

BTW The only time I was ever truly afraid, was waking up in the ICU only to find that my dick was no more good. The shock set off all my alarms and made me pass back out... catheter and balloon, I tried to pull it out, all drugged up and didn't know what it was...

The second time around...I was a pro...

[floatpilot]

Was there ever an answer to the catastrophic engine failure? Why'd it quit?

[pdw]

Whatever it was, for the most part ... would'nt that be secondary?
Although, the suddenness by which "it quit" ("catastrophic") gets adrenal glands secreting more adrenalin ahead of that 'slo mo' time ("stalling it in") while nearing actual impact. From 400' is maybe ten/twelve seconds of restart attempt etc., in addition to what's already in the bloodstream from the morning's 'rush' (ie 'the five takeoffs/landings' with 'tourists waiting').

Time crawl. An interesting thing. ....this all happens in 3 seconds.

I know from an accident, in the middle of "3 seconds" of the wipeout ... first swung out the backend while barely avoiding in turning one way as nearly T-boned by an E350 Van stopsign .; then recovering, spun out while cutting right after he braked (just missed his front bumper at 80km) ... immediately opening the Saturn's door to jump out thinking I was already stopped. Lucky for seatbelts ... yet time seemed to have almost stopped. So, can't help but think that adrenalin has input ... when brain activity speeds up (the slow / calm sensation) for 'survival'.

[Flat Lander]

What was the reason why the engine quit? Was there fuel in the machine?
Is there a Transport Canada link someone could pass along with information about the accident? There was a cadors from way back that was floating around somewhere.
Bloody towels on the shoreline. There was a helicopter involved. Just a guess but did the chopper blow a few things around. The Cadors mentioned the pilot was on the shoreline waving.
umm. Just picked the plane up and had 8 tourists ready on the dock waiting to be flown into an outpost camp and still had training to do? If the plane was just put in the water for the summer, were the outposts even set-up for tourists? Motors, boats flipped, etc.
The stories just have never added up. It is a miracle though that he did make it through the crash. Not much left of that old Beaver.

[flyinthebug]

What was the reason why the engine quit? Was there fuel in the machine?
Is there a Transport Canada link someone could pass along with information about the accident? There was a cadors from way back that was floating around somewhere.
Bloody towels on the shoreline. There was a helicopter involved. Just a guess but did the chopper blow a few things around. The Cadors mentioned the pilot was on the shoreline waving.
umm. Just picked the plane up and had 8 tourists ready on the dock waiting to be flown into an outpost camp and still had training to do? If the plane was just put in the water for the summer, were the outposts even set-up for tourists? Motors, boats flipped, etc.
The stories just have never added up. It is a miracle though that he did make it through the crash. Not much left of that old Beaver.

With legal action still pending, I cannot discuss why the engine quit. Suffice it to say, it did.

The CADORs is wrong, and TC has confirmed for me that no one saw me waving from the treeline. I dont know where that came from? I also heard about a 2nd helicopter being involved but again, its clear as mud. Actually a floatplane from another operator found me and guided the helicopter to my location. Thank you for saving my life, and you know who you are. (From what I understand the floatplane that guided the heli to me took some chances to get to me...and I am indebted to you, thank you).

I can only tell the story from what I remember and my perspective. No one is attempting to give false statements or claims...its just that sometimes in these situations, not everything makes sense. My memory is clear of what happened to me...but I am unclear on what actions others took. I can only tell my story from my perspective.

It was a very late spring that year and the ice had just come off the bay the night before. I needed the 5 circuits before I could carry passengers (Standard procedure). With the late spring, we had already booked for May 14th for our first trip. I was hoping to get the 1st group up and open the outpost in the same trip. Things didnt quite work out.

I realize there are some "holes" in the story, and in time, I will fill them in completely. Some of the things that happened that day are still being debated.

Thanks all for the comments and support. It was truly a bad day at the office.

Fly safe all.

*Edit for PS...

Just as an FYI...I arrived at base on May 10th expecting the ice would be off and I could get my training done and open a few outposts... then train the new guy(s). I was hoping to do my 5 touch and goes and then load up 3 pax plus gear for camp and be gone. We had a late start so instead of losing the revenue for the company, I decided to get things done.

As for my legal action...it is not against the air service in any shape or form. I wish my employer many successful seasons ahead. The owner is a very kind and decent man. I feel bad that I rolled up one of his beautiful DHC2s.

[Rowdy]

I'm glad you are still here to share that story with us.

[pdw]

How much gas did you put in before your training flight? Mabe you don't remember that part of the story. The wobble pump and primer need gas for them to do there jobs

You're asking a question when its obvious you may know the answer. What failed though is really not a part of "the story" anyway since we only have to know the engine had ceased to function when 'this story' begins. The engine quit ... and very suddenly ... is what we know (where the jest of the Video begins) and what the pilot was facing where the story begins. For that reason the cause of the failure has nothing to do with the story-line as presented ... the pilot in this story was not aware what happened to the engine at the time of 'engine failure'.

[Rudder Bug]

What failed though is really not a part of "the story" anyway since we only have to know the engine had ceased to function when 'this story' begins. The engine quit ... and very suddenly ... is what we know >>SNIP>>SNIP. For that reason the cause of the failure has nothing to do with the story-line as presented ... the pilot in this story was not aware what happened to the engine at the time of 'engine failure'.

Yes, exactly. The reasons and speculations about the engine failure are not consistent with the thread and sould be avoided. We are discussing Near Death Experience and the consequences of a major accident in one man's life.

Thanks for your input pdw.

Gilles

[Cat Driver]

I have been bush flying for a fairly long time bug, anytime I hop in an airplane for the first time I do not take anyone's word on what the fuel situations is in the airplane I'm about to blast off in, I fucking check it myself! Who cares what the owner and ame have to say.

How do you check the fuel amounts in a Beaver?

[Rudder Bug]

Good one .!

[pdw]

How do you check the fuel amounts in a Beaver?

Would make a great title on a brand new thread.

[Cat Driver]

Flyinthebug you do not need to defend yourself from cowards who hide behind a computer screen.

Those of us who know you truly admire your openness and willingness to tell it as you remember it.

Ignore this floatpilot he appears to be a real loser.

[Colonel Sanders]

I don't really want to get doused by all the streams
of urine spraying around here but ...

Please, low-timers, remember that an airplane fresh
out of maintenance is incredibly dangerous. It will
try to kill you. Be really paranoid when you are the
first to fly an airplane that hasn't flown for a long
time, right out of maintenance. The more maintenance
that has been performed, and the longer that it hasn't
flown, the more likely that something will go horribly
wrong on you.

It may look like an airplane, but that can just be a
terribly cruel joke. What you have now, is a collection
of parts that has yet to prove that it can fly.

[slowstream]

floatpilot,

Its just my opinion but go away already!

This thread was about an ND experience, if you want to piss all over it then go to that accident thread do your spraying there would you.

[flyinthebug]

I don't really want to get doused by all the streams
of urine spraying around here but ...

Please, low-timers, remember that an airplane fresh
out of maintenance is incredibly dangerous. It will
try to kill you. Be really paranoid when you are the
first to fly an airplane that hasn't flown for a long
time, right out of maintenance. The more maintenance
that has been performed, and the longer that it hasn't
flown, the more likely that something will go horribly
wrong on you.

It may look like an airplane, but that can just be a
terribly cruel joke. What you have now, is a collection
of parts that has yet to prove that it can fly.

Incredibly well said Colonel!

[flyinthebug]

floatpilot,

Its just my opinion but go away already!

This thread was about an ND experience, if you want to piss all over it then go to that accident thread do your spraying there would you.

EDITED

floatpilot...these are my final words to you. There is currently a multiple page thread on homosexuality in the general comments forum. I didnt think that and aviation were related topics but apparently they are. So why dont you shuffle on over to that thread, im confident you will feel much more comfortable if you comment there rather than here. Some of us want to discuss an NDE that is directly aviation related. Add me to slowstream`s list of people who wish you would just go away. Did I fire you at some point in the last 20 years? You sure seem to have a bone to pick with me...so why not PM me some info and we can discuss it from there. Either that or piss off. Now I will take Cat`s advice and ignore your cowardly existance.

[Cat Driver]

Anonymity is sometimes the only refuge some people have in life flyinthebug, so I wouldn't get to upset with the likes of floatpilot if I were you.