Jumbo jet pilot sacked for ‘fly-by’ at 28 feet (B 777-300 ER)

Times of London ^ | February 25, 2008 | NA

[BfloGuy]

He threw away a $500,000 a year job (250,000 pounds.)

Only if he lived in the U.S. He lives in Hong Kong where a pound spends about like a dollar does here.

[Steve_Seattle]

On the video, it doesn’t look that dangerous. For one thing, it looks like more than 28 feet. Also, isn’t a general aviation pilot supposed to be able to control a plane at low altitude? After all, every time they take off and land, they are maneuvering the plane close to the ground.

[longtermmemmory]

Very true.

However what will be the cost of gaining a reputation as only hiring the AVERAGE or BELOW AVERAGE skilled pilots and firing the MOST SKILLED pilots.

[cowboyway]

He’s screwing with his employer’s property and deserves to be fired for it. It is possible to go too far some times.

From the article:

"The 322mph fly-by was cheered by onlookers, and the pilot, who is said to be one of the most senior aviators with the airline, later toasted the flight with champagne."

"Footage of the stunt on January 30 was leaked on to the internet, however, and Mr Wilkinson was suspended."

He wasn't suspended until the footage leaked.

[1rudeboy]

There are videos of the crash, actually. I’ll see if I can find one.

[righttackle44]

“Otherwise it ends up be a touch only.”

Actually, wouldn’t it end up being a fireball only?

[MindBender26]

“Gutsiest move I ever saw, man!”

[jaydubya2]

Unfortunately the jerk killed himself and everyone on board:

[dhot]

cue the 707 barrel role tape.
Boeing needs to do the barrel roll with the Dreamliner.
The resulting “street cred” with the flying public would be priceless.

---

The problem is finding someone with the chutzpah that Tex had ... Most test dudes with serious cajones are gone.

[Tribune7]

Sounds better than what I was thinking when I wrote that :-)

[MindBender26]

I think Tex’s kid was a FReeper for a while.

[thinking]

if it was a properly executed roll, the ladies would be pinned to the wing, and would look the same upside-down as right-side up...

[1rudeboy]

Here. Click the fourth image from the top.

[pandemoniumreigns]

707 barrel roll

[Yo-Yo]

Here is an actual video of the B-52 crash:

http://www.alexisparkinn.com/photogallery/Videos/B52%20bomber%202.wmv