2 Navy pilots lose flying status permanently due to stunt for facebook page (video)

[Liberal_in_LA]

Memo to military pilots: Dumb macho stunts may be part of your historic tradition, but avoid damaging $33 million helicopters.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports (via AP) that two Navy pilots who accidentally dipped their choppers into Lake Tahoe during a stunt to take pictures for their squad's Facebook page will lose their flying status permanently. In addition, their two students will have to repeat their training because of the September incident, which became public after bystanders posted video on YouTube.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/hottopics/detail?entry_id=79686#ixzz18yg7uXbs

video at link

[Statistical]

1. At least it didn't end up like this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMVKEv3jcio

Note: this wasn't a stunt. The pilots were practicing engine out recovery but the high swells caused them to lose control and the helicopter tipped forward.

[Liberal_in_LA]

2. omg. did they survive?

[Statistical]

3. I believe this is the story. It was carrying 13 people. 12 survived.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2006/05/12/206563/video-russia-launches-investigation-into-sea-of-japan-mil-mi-14.html

Anyways the point is helicopter blades & water don't mix. The Navy pilots are lucky they didn't lose more than their flying status. Most likely if they have talent they will be picked up somewhere else (oil rigs, firefighters, lumber company, etc).

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

4. One of our pilots thought it would be cool to buzz a drive-in one night.

He also happened to be my boss as Intelligence Officer. Not too intelligent a stunt to pull. No more flying for him, and no more carreer as a marine officer. A real fathead and martinet.