Colin Mcrae crash

[codprawn]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/...st/6997134.stm

This is terrible news - looks like he has been killed and possibly his family as well.

After all the incredibley dangerous high speed rally driving he has done - the loss of a true master!!!

[Rogue Wave]

but risk taking means thst sometimes you win sometimes you lose! It is my understanding that choppers are the most dangerous form of air travel.

He had a good life guess he lived up to his nickname to the end

[codprawn]

Normal helicopter flying is NOT risk taking - yes they aren't as safe as fixed wing but probably still safer than taking a car.

I am sure his poor wife wouldn't have let him take the kids if she thought he was "risk taking".

There have been a few high profile helicopter crashes where rich people have died - including one of Chelsea football club owners - they have often been in the twin squirrel helicoper!!!

[Andy Moore]

Just been confirmed.

[blinddog]

Just 2 weeks ago when i was at the touring cars at Knockhill, Colin flew over in the helecopter he then came in to the VIP tent and gave a speech for about 1/2 hr.
Just so sad.

[codprawn]

Imagine how the wives must be feeling now - they have each lost a husband AND a son!!!

[codprawn]

This quote from Nicy Grist is quite apt.

Nicky Grist, his co-driver since 1997, said: "Colin was always regarded as being a bit of a risk-taker in cars, but when it came to flying a helicopter he was a totally different man.

"The one thing he always told me, he said 'You don't mess about with a helicopter. They are bigger and better than I am and you have to drive them as such."

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by codprawn

There have been a few high profile helicopter crashes where rich people have died - including one of Chelsea football club owners - they have often been in the twin squirrel helicoper!!!

True not many poor people own helicopters, at least he died with his boots on unlike the unfortunate Richard Burns

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

True not many poor people own helicopters, at least he died with his boots on unlike the unfortunate Richard Burns

Yes if it wasn't for the people left behind and the kids involved etc it has to be a much better way to go. He may have only been 39 but he packed so much into his life. More than can be said for his little boy.

I am a very firm believer that when your time is up that's it.

Look what happened to Mike Hailwood - the only person to take part in F1 car and bike racing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Hailwood

Killed when taking his family to buy fish and chips!!!

[codprawn]

Well this has done nothing for my confidence in helicopters

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/essex/6997784.stm

Dave Richards - Colin Mcrae's old boss and owner of Prodrive and Aston Martin had a near miss today - what a coincidence. he was flying home early because of the news about Mcrae.

[SDGANDER]

As a commercially rated helicopter pilot there's not a lot to add except that helicopters are generally safe machines, they make the news when they crash because they re helicopters....

The general consensus in the industry from pilots and air traffic controllers who knew him or worked with him was that his 'unique' driving skills were not carried over into his flying - he was a very safe and contiencous pilot.

Been a bad weekend for general aviation with the loss of the Hurricane pilot at the Shoreham airshow too...

RIP one and all...

SDG.

[codprawn]

Couldn't agree more.

I get free lesson off a good friend of mine - he has a Hughes/Schweitzer 300 which doesn't look very safe but is actually a joy to fly - it turns out they have one of the best safety records - nice to know.

It also helps that he is an expert at autorotation - because his neighbours have complained about the noise every landing he does is "engine off". If he was ever in an emergency I can't think of anyone I would rather be flying with - he does it every day!!!