Pilot flew around with dead instructor because he thought he was 'pretending to take a nap' as a joke
A flying instructor died during take-off, but the pilot did not realise and assumed he was 'joking' with him by pretending to be asleep. The 57-year-old instructor had agreed to join the qualified pilot on a quick circuit around Blackpool Airport, but he tragically suffered a heart attack during the journey.
Upon touching ground, he realised what was really happening and alerted nearby airport fire crews and air ambulance staff who were stationed there. Sadly, the man could not be saved despite their best efforts, reports LancsLive.The instructor had passed a medical check just months before the fatal episode.
The pilot of that plane, a Piper PA-28-161 light aircraft, had originally planned to fly from Blackpool to another airport before changing plans as he felt the crosswinds were above the level permitted for him to fly alone. As he wanted to maintain his recency requirements for his flying club, he asked the instructor to join him for a circuit.
The report states: "The pilot recalled that shortly after take off from Runway 28 the instructor’s head rolled back. The pilot knew the instructor well and thought he was just pretending to take a nap whilst the pilot flew the circuit, so he did not think anything was wrong at this stage.
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