DUBAI, UAE (AP) – Dubai’s famous “jetman” pilots killed in crash in November failed to deploy emergency parachute attached to winged engines tied to his back, according to a published research report this Thursday.
Investigators from the United Arab Emirates Civil Aviation Authority gave no explanation as to why Vincent Reffet, 36, of Annecy, France, did not use his parachute in the fall during a training flight. in the sheikh’s desert.
Investigators described Reffet as an “experienced professional paratrooper” and jetwing pilot, according to the Nov. 17 crash video. appeared to show him that he was losing control and was heading for a backflip gliding about 240 meters (800 feet) from the ground.
These setbacks are common when the wings are worn and can be recovered if the pilot pushes forward through the flip, according to the report. Reffet had experience getting out of these flips in the past, but at higher altitudes.
“The risks of the 800-foot idle were discussed during the pre-flight briefing and, as a risk mitigation, it was decided to abort the flight and deploy the pyrotyrac emergency parachute in case the jetwing becomes uncontrollable,” he says. the report. . “The investigation could not determine why the pilot did not choose this mitigation action.”
The video of a camera connected to the helmet showed the parachute only deploying after crashing to the ground. Before that, his hands moved as if he thought he might re-enter a flight, according to the report. The jetwings showed no mechanical problems before or during the flight, the researchers said.
The training flight was to simulate a takeoff from the ground, a triangular flight, and a jet-propelled landing on an 800-foot platform, according to the report. A helicopter at this height was supposed to simulate the platform, but investigators found no sign that it played a role in the crash.
XDubai, an extreme sports company that sponsors flights associated with the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, did not immediately respond to the request for comment. Neither did Jetman Dubai, for whom Reffet flew.
Reffet had jumped BASE from the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building at 828 meters (2,716 feet) in Dubai, setting a world record. BASE is an acronym for construction, antenna, wingspan and ground. He previously won gold medals while competing as a freestyle parachutist on a team and competing as an extreme athlete.
Jetman Dubai, founded by Swiss adventurer Yves Rossy, sees its athletes soar through the sky with a four-engine carbon Kevlar wing strapped to its back. The wings can fly 50 kilometers (30 miles), have a top speed of over 400 km / h (248 mph) and can reach an altitude of 6,100 meters (20,000 feet).
Famous in 2015, Reffet and Rossy flew next to an Emirates Airbus A380 double-decker airliner over Dubai.
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