M
Mike Koewler
David posted this message in a group:
I am back together all in one piece with magic glue, screws and a lot of
specialist help from some wonderfully talented people. Going for a fall
down a mountain side of seventy metres is not a good idea at night. Was
only my helmet fire flying jacket and pants that saved me, but oh dear,
there were some funny shaped bones and a lot of bark missing. Flying in
the terrible fires at mid-evening doing my good community and civil
duty, sending the data and pictures back to central fire control. Had a
major engine failure on a near brand new out the box engine with only
55hrs. I had sufficient altitude to easily make it to a remote albeit
short mountain strip right on top of a narrow ridge, however a little
scary in the dark. I had radioed in and alerted air control and told
them to mobilise the emergency helicopter to pick me up pronto as it was
too dangerous to stop there for the night. Well I put the plane down on
the real narrow short mountain ridge strip. Got out the plane, breathed
a sigh of relief, patted myself on the back as I only had one chance,
worse dark - no lights. Walked about three metres away from the plane to
let the heart slow down, and promptly stepped over the side of the
mountain in the only place I could have gone over. Fortunately the
chopper that was coming to pick me up had all the right gear on board
along with a high level paramedic and nurse, and I was in hospital and
on the operating table in sixty minutes inside the Golden Hour - hence
why I am here. In falling down the mountain it activated my beacon and
the helicopter pilot saw my beacon flashing coming in to land and
wondered what the hell it was. He soon realised when they could not find
me. My hands still need a little more repair work, one leg needs a
little attention, but hey, I am here and what more could you want in
life. We never know when we will have no tomorrow. I read an e-mail from
Mike K telling me about Dave P, and count my blessings. I have already
used up three of my nine lives, and this episode must account for five,
so had better be careful!
I'm glad he is okay.
Mike
I am back together all in one piece with magic glue, screws and a lot of
specialist help from some wonderfully talented people. Going for a fall
down a mountain side of seventy metres is not a good idea at night. Was
only my helmet fire flying jacket and pants that saved me, but oh dear,
there were some funny shaped bones and a lot of bark missing. Flying in
the terrible fires at mid-evening doing my good community and civil
duty, sending the data and pictures back to central fire control. Had a
major engine failure on a near brand new out the box engine with only
55hrs. I had sufficient altitude to easily make it to a remote albeit
short mountain strip right on top of a narrow ridge, however a little
scary in the dark. I had radioed in and alerted air control and told
them to mobilise the emergency helicopter to pick me up pronto as it was
too dangerous to stop there for the night. Well I put the plane down on
the real narrow short mountain ridge strip. Got out the plane, breathed
a sigh of relief, patted myself on the back as I only had one chance,
worse dark - no lights. Walked about three metres away from the plane to
let the heart slow down, and promptly stepped over the side of the
mountain in the only place I could have gone over. Fortunately the
chopper that was coming to pick me up had all the right gear on board
along with a high level paramedic and nurse, and I was in hospital and
on the operating table in sixty minutes inside the Golden Hour - hence
why I am here. In falling down the mountain it activated my beacon and
the helicopter pilot saw my beacon flashing coming in to land and
wondered what the hell it was. He soon realised when they could not find
me. My hands still need a little more repair work, one leg needs a
little attention, but hey, I am here and what more could you want in
life. We never know when we will have no tomorrow. I read an e-mail from
Mike K telling me about Dave P, and count my blessings. I have already
used up three of my nine lives, and this episode must account for five,
so had better be careful!
I'm glad he is okay.
Mike