Wingtip Grazes Water, But Pilot Matt Hall Recovers
Folks... I really don't know that
it gets closer than this... but you gotta wonder what kind of
rabbit's foot Australia’s Matt Hall is carrying around.
Matt, you see, had a scare during the first Qualifying session
at the Red Bull Air Race in Windsor Ontario, Saturday, when his
plane touched the surface of the Detroit River but instead of what
usually happens with these things, the former RAAF pilot pulled off
an unlikely recovery and returned safely to Race Airport.
Wow... (which we're sure is NOT exactly the words Matt might use
to describe this misadventure... but we digress).
(Red Bull Photo)
According to Red Bull Air Race reports, Hall was challenging for
the lead in the first of two Qualifying sessions when he stalled
out... low... really low... really wet and low. His left wing
skimmed the surface of the river that separates the United States
and Canada. His right wheel cover hit the water as well but Hall
was able to regain control of his MXS-R aircraft and climb up away
into the sky.
(Red Bull Photo)
"I felt I was having a fairly good run,” Hall said.
“I might have skipped twice on the water. It’s a very
disappointing result for me. It’s the motor racing equivalent
of touching the wall..." (except that you can't drown hitting the
wall).
(Red Bull Photo)
Hall, who flew combat missions with the US Air Force in Iraq,
was confident his plane could be repaired in time for Qualifying 2
an hour later. He is hoping to get his third career podium in
Windsor and has been in the top three in most training sessions
this week.
(Red Bull Photo)
"The plane is damaged but will be recoverable,” Hall said.
“Our game plan is to get some rest for now. It will hit me
harder in a few hours time. Everyone in aviation has been in some
fairly tight situations before. I've been in tight situations
before. I'm disappointed in myself for putting myself in that
situation. We're okay but we'll move on from that. Everything's
fine.”
(Red Bull Photo)
Hall’s plane was inspected in the air after his safety
climb out by Nigel Lamb, another pilot who was flying in a holding
pattern. Lamb said the damage all appeared to be superficial. Hall
then landed safely back at the Race Airport in Windsor.
(Red Bull Photo)
"The main damage is on the right aileron,” Hall said.
“I think the plane is not that badly damaged. It is going to
be a matter of replacing parts.”
(Red Bull Photo)
Hall has two podiums in his career, including a second place
finish in his home race in Perth, Australia in April. He joined the
race in 2009 and became the most successful rookie in race history
last year when he took third place overall. Hall is in fourth place
so far this year.
This is
not the first time a Red Bull Air Racer has had to deal
with aqua firma... Brazilian pilot Adilson Kindlemann was involved
in an accident while practicing for the Red Bull Air
Race held in Perth, Australia on April 15th.
Kindlemann's plane went down just before noon local time, impacting
the Swan River. Kindlemann was rescued by staff rescue and recovery
personnel, the airplane was trashed and Kindlemann recovered with
'minor' injuries...