Apparently Attempted To Grab Helo Skid Before It Was In Place
For The Stunt
The NTSB's preliminary report in the accident which fatally
injured air show stuntman Todd Green suggests he attempted to reach
for the skid of the helicopter before it was in the correct
position to complete the stunt. Green lost his footing on the
Stearman biplane in the attempt to transfer between it and a
helicopter flying overhead during an air show at Selfridge Air
National Guard Base on August 21st.
Todd Green
NTSB Identification: CEN11LA606B
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, August 21, 2011 in Mt. Clemens, MI
Aircraft: SCHWEIZER HUGHES 269C, registration: N7505B
Injuries: 1 Fatal,2 Uninjured.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may
contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when
the final report has been completed.
On August 21, 2011, at 1335 EDT, an attempted aerial transfer of
an individual (wing walker) from a Boeing A75N1 Stearman airplane,
N49739, to a Hughes 269C helicopter, N7505B, resulted in a fatal
injury to the wing walker during an air show performance at
Selfridge Air National Guard Base (MTC), Mount Clemens, Michigan.
Neither aircraft were damaged during the accident; nor was either
of the pilots injured. Both aircraft landed normally after the
accident. The flight was being conducted under 14 Code of Federal
Regulations Part 91 and a Certificate of Waiver issued for the air
show. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight,
which was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight
originated from RMY about 1315.
The airplane pilot stated that the wing walker fell during their
third pass. He reported that the wing walker was to wait for a cue
from the helicopter pilot when both aircraft were in position for
the transfer. He stated that the wing walker jumped to reach the
skid on the helicopter before it was in position, letting go of the
handle on the airplane. The wing walker was unable to regain a hold
of the handle on the airplane and fell. The airplane pilot noted
that the wing walker did not normally let go of the handle on the
airplane until his arm was wrapped around the skid on the
helicopter.
The helicopter pilot reported that the aerial transfer was
planned to occur on the third pass. The initial passes went
according to their plan. However, on the third pass, the wing
walker attempted to grab the helicopter skid prior to the briefed
transfer point. The helicopter pilot stated that the wing walker
released his hold on the airplane handle, and lunged with both
hands for the helicopter skid before the aircraft were in position.
He reported that the wing walker attempted to go back to the
airplane, but was unable to grab on to anything. The wing walker
subsequently fell approximately 150 feet to the ground.
The wing walker was transported from the scene in critical
condition, and subsequently died at a local hospital.
Klyde Morris (05.02.25)
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