HSLD

A few years ago a series of photos were passed in aviation circles showing a bizjet pilot who presumably on walk-around, walked into the pitot tube eye first and broke the thing off in his skull.

Does anyone know what the outcome was for this guy? I just found the photos on my hard drive and was wondering if he recovered (hope so!).

NetJets_DA2Easy

I think you mean a static wick, the thought of breaking a pitot tube off in my skull hurts

jtf560

It was a static wick and the guy is 100 percent (at least physically), on line, and active in the union. I believe he was back very quickly since he was lucky enough to have it poke through into a nasal cavity instead of his brain. Those are some pretty gruesome pics.

RedGuy

That'd be horrible! One of the corporate FBO's I used to work at back in my line service days had a mechanic walk into a static wick eye first! One of those nasty yellow static wicks with the barb on the end. Unfortunately he lost his eye.:radar:

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swaayze

Were his initials PK and he could double as Yosemite Sam? I heard that was him from a friend. Used to instruct with him a long time ago if it is. Just curious, thanks. I think about that almost every time I preflight and walk by the wicks at eye level....

blastboy

Wow! This story will definitely teach me to stay on my toes more when preflighting. He's lucky he still has his sight and is able to continue flying.

And out of curiosity, any links for the pics? I'd like to see just how he was able to keep his eye sight from such horrible trauma.

Pilotpip

Pitot tubes are dangerous too. I was working the ramp and my coworker walked into one on a queen air. 20 stitches and a nasty scar later...

Also watched a UPS ramper chock a caravan with a windmilling prop. Dude got knocked out cold and when he hit the ground I saw skull.

Canyonair

A few years ago I was in a hangar on a dark morning and walked headfirst into one of those yellow hard plastic static wicks on a King Air. Didn't take my eye out but came close. My skull managed to break it into 3 pieces. Hurt like hell!

UnlimitedAkro

Hey HLSD... there is a picture somewhere on the internet of this guy at the hospital with the static wick in his eye. Also X-ray pics too if the wick through the eye socket. Nasty so say the least!!

I tried searching for them, but had no luck finding it. It is out there though, Ive seen it!!

First one to find it wins one hundred billion dollars.. mwaaahhhhahaha

UnlimitedAkro

[quote=Pilotpip;203817]Pitot tubes are dangerous too. I was working the ramp and my coworker walked into one on a queen air. 20 stitches and a nasty scar later...quote]

A couple of different planes have their pitot tubes and AOA vanes right under the window where the pilot would slide down the escape rope if needed.

I cant think of what would be worse, the AOA vane cutting things off, or the pitot tube jamming itself up in ya!! YIKES!

If the pitot tube misses you, the AOA vanes will get you for sure!!!