Oh the Pain!!!

[rice]

Just got an email showing a NetJets citation pilot who has what appears to be a static wick impaled just below his left eye socket. Just looking at the pics and I'm in pain. Guy is laid out on the ramp (in uniform) right next to the cabin door with this thing sticking out of his face. next set of pics shows him in the ER with the thing still imbedded in his face. Last pic is of the x-ray showing it very deep into his sinus cavity.
Any of you NJA guys know the story behind this? And for the record I hope like he11 this is a fake just making its way around the web. If not I sure hope the poor guy came out of it okay.

If I knew how I'd post the pics but I'm essentially internet illiterate.

 

[Diesel]

It's a funny arse story. They were in mexico and the FO walks into a static wick. Goes right through his sinus cavity. So he's laying on the ground and he makes the capt go into the plane to take a bunch of pix of the static wick impalled in his face. It went in a inch or so. They had to get it removed. The pix are some of the worst I've ever seen. Really disgusting.

Just funny to see him laying there when he should be working. I think he took the pics just to prove to the company that he actually was injured.

He's healing nicely but his face is all black and blue. I'll try to get him on this weboard to tell you the whole story. I can't even look at the pics.

 

[yosemite]

It's twoo, its twoo!

Yes, the story is true... as are the pictures.

I'm the one laying there by the plane. And I'll tell the story here because the safety aspect of it needs to be told.

It happened in Puerata Vallarta almost a month ago to the day. Because the taxiway was narrow the wing hung out over a downward sloping grassy area. I was walking back from the baggage area, around the left wingtip, to the front of the airplane and was distracted by something in my pocket. Also, because of the downslope, the wingtip was some 10-12" higher than normal causing it to be out of my perphriphal vision... an important thing.

I started to look up from putting the pocket object into my wallet as I made the turn around the wingtip... or so I thought. I had been distracted and not paying attention as I walked. First mistake... PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT YOU ARE DOING WHEN AROUND AIRPLANES!. Also, I did not notice the wing rising. Second mistake. COMPLACENCY!

As pilots we work in, around, on, above, under, over our aircraft every day. We know where every antenna, bump, edge, fin, wire, or wick are. Or so we think... This "awareness" is built on our active senses... that being direct sight, perphripal vision, sound, and movement. On this day, because I was walking on a downward slope, the wing moved up and out of my normal field of vision. Not being able to see the wing means you're out past it... right? NOT ALWAYS!

I was turning to the right and starting to look up as I walked right into the trailing edge of the outboard left wingtip. I was impaled by the 2nd static wick from the end of the wing right below the left tear duct. The static wick went in a total of about 3 inches, immediately snapped off, and had to be surgically removed. I was consious the whole time and was able to relay my condition to my fellow pilot. This allowed him to handle the tasks suddenly thrust upon him knowing that I was not in extreme duress. And yes, having learned earlier that it is smart to document any problem with visual evidence, I carry a digital camera and asked him to take some pictures for later. I was laying down in the one picture of the wingtip because I was going into shock and knew I needed to stabilize myself before I fainted. Laying down worked.

To finish, I am well and healing. The injury was serious but luckily did not damage any significant areas. Our company took care of me and my family from the git-go and continue to do so, and I'm danged glad to work at NJA. I hope to be back on the line sometime in February.

But the important thing is the lesson learned.

PAY ATTENTION. It is easy to be complacent. While you're performing tasks around an airplane is not the time to be multi-tasking.

LITTLE THINGS CAN KILL. Pay attention to non-standard situations. Address them to your partner and pax so they will be aware of the one-time danger.

So that's the story. If I could attach a picture to show everyone how shocking this was, and why I'm so serious about the safety aspect, I would. For now, I guess I'll just have to become an Internet legend and when you finally see the pics, think back to this.

 

[rice]

Glad to hear your well and healing. Kudos to NJA for taking good care of you and the family.

 

[Lear70]

Is that a static wick in your pocket or are you just happy to SEE anything at all, much less me?

 

[Limeyflyer]

I got those pics sent to me through an ERAU web Group. Glad to hear that you are recovering nicely.

 

[TonyC]

Where are the pictures???

 

[750driver]

You are so da** lucky that it didn't pierce one of your eyes ... glad to hear that you're doing well

 

[TailDraggerTed]

Thanks alot for posting this story! I now wince and cringe 20-times a day, every time I see a static wick. Glad he is O.K.

 

[yosemite]

Update...

Took all the tests. Passed the pressure chamber ride (again).

Looks like I'm headed back to work this week. Still dealing with odd feelings from the muscles mending, but docs say that'll take up to a year to finish. Not going to sit around for that long, fer sure!

If you see me on the road, say "hi".

If you're not sure it's me, just ask me to hold a pen up to my nose... You'll know. 8^)

Or imagine a 5'7" Mike Holmgren or Andy Reid.

Later,
Xx