Chocks_Away

Well, All I can say is OUCH! [:@]

Thats awful to say the least, my heart goes out to you, and made my mishap 2 years ago look like a scratch, which I suppose it was really in comparison ! [:'(]

Terrible, but if you didn't do what you did, it may have been even worse ! ? []

I'd be trying to sue the swine who caused it to get you hospital fees back as a minimum, it's stuff like this that model flying insurance is needed for.

Hope it gets better soon, not that it will ever be 100% the same again

Radical Departure

My Feedback: (13)

offroadpete, all I can think of at the moment is 'holy sh$t!!'. I have to ask, did this take place at an AMA field? If so, did they intervene or offer help in any way? On the other hand, it very well could have been even more tragic had you not stepped in to take the hit. Sad to see something like this take place when all you wanted to do was watch some folks fly. I really hope you end up getting more use than 80%. A very distressing and life-changing incident, thank you very much for sharing!

forestroke

that looks painful, offroadpete. i hope you recover quickly!

plus, i hope that although you lost 20% of your left hand, you have a wife and brother in law!

sticktickler

Funny I was always told scars where a badge of honor seems to a badge of stupidity in this hobby. One I'm guilty of myself stuck my hand in the blade of a .28 running on a twin. As I was starting the one I simply forgot about the other running engine. I grabbed the nose to steady the plane but there was not room for my fingers between the fuse and spinning prop. The end result was many very painful stitches through my nail bed and deep cuts on two fingers on my left hand. Won't do that again OUCH!

ctnic

Finally got the pin out of my thumb. I picked up a copy of my last xray to show what a carbon fiber prob does to a bone.

I've started the therapy with my thumb and have modified my transmitter with a thumb cradle so I can fly on New Years Day although I'll be strapped to a buddy cord again incase my thumb gets to sore in the middle of a flight.

offroadpete

sadly i was NOT at a AMA field. I was at a privatly owned field and the guy that hit me did NOT have ama insurance. I am in the middle of all those legal issues right now. I'm generally not the type of person that would sue, I hate how easy it is for people to sue other people now days even after such stupid accidents (which yes, as much as a moron he was it was still an accident, but one that couldve been avoided.) But while I sat there holding my fingers in place to keep them from falling off he started going off on me for slapping the plane that I shouldve "caught" according to him instead of slapping it outta the air destroying it. If i wasnt so focused on the throbbing pain in my hand i promise you we wouldve had one less idiot on the planet.

forestroke

That takes the ticket in terms of idiots. The guy drives his plane into you. You save people at the expense of your own health and he has the galls to put you at fault for ruining his plane... what's this world coming to? I hope you're successful in suing that guy because, unfortunately, even those that have no rhyme or reason feel pain when you take money from them. At least he will be more careful in the future.

As for you, Pete, I hope your road to recovery is short and littered with serendipity.

NorfolkSouthern

Yet another post regarding an idiot who has abused a dangerous piece of machinery. Since this resulted in a life-long injury, I would not blame you for suing him for over 1 million dollars and taking possession of his house, car, and anything else he owns of value. There simply is no excuse for this kind of behavior, especially towards spectators. All of this to me, gives yet another reason for regulating the model aircraft hobby, licensing R/C pilots, and requiring a 3rd class FAA medical certificate. And then making liability coverage mandatory, just like auto insurance is a requirement for driving a vehicle. I'm sorry folks, but this sort of carelessness, indifference, and the "it's just a toy" attitude has to end somehow. And to be honest, I can't think of a solution that would work any better.

NorfolkSouthern

ChrisMH

This may have been mentioned already, but I'll throw it in anyway:

Whenever I'm setting up controls on an electric, I disconnect the ESC and connect a standard Rx battery pack to the Rx. No chance at all of the motor starting. No matter how careful I am, I always end up bumping the throttle

blw

My Feedback: (3)

Having had to go thru Class II physicals myself, I have to disagree. That would mean all kinds of regulations on over the counter meds, etc, incredible costs to the modeler, and more costs to give checkrides. Besides, where would a lot of people find a flight surgeon near their flying fields?

I agree on suing the guy. It could have been much worse if that plane hit people in the head area.

osxpro

My Feedback: (51)

I whacked my thumb last Tues with a Saito 40 running about 5K RPM. I was tuning the engine on my bronco and before I knew it.... WHACK!
I sealed up with thick CA and it did the trick. The prop split my nail and put two gashes in the meat. THANK GOD these were dull Master Airscrews and not APCs. I believe this is the first time in 10 years I've injured myself. I'm praying it'll be the last!

offroadpete

i love the fact that u sealed it with CA, this the best thing ever invented

Medevack1

Oh yeah that i know about the prop bitting and the CA helping and of course the PERCOSET and the Morphine... im the proud owner of the PurpleProp award for 2006...lol osxpro ill have to pass it to you in 2007 so far you are on the lead....lol mine hapend with a wooden prop..... OUCH!!! all 4 fingers

twigster

My Feedback: (8)

i don't wanna read stories like this!! be careful, gang!!

ouch! i feel for ya'll !

Radical Departure

My Feedback: (13)

So its now been a few months since starting this thread, what is my condition at this point in time? Not there yet. In my last update around mid-november, I commented on my main knuckles not working. Never improved. The surgeon I was seeing said I had Causalgia and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome, and I was to be referred to a pain specialist. They would give me a shot in the neck to paralyze my left side thus helping the therapist to better work with my hand. First, I had no symptoms of CRSD, (characterised by severe pain and burning sensations primarily), second, this was an on the spot diagnosis with no protocol followed to back up that assertion. Myself and the therapist were dumbfounded by this. With enough being enough, I made an appointment with a surgeon specializing in hands, since it was obvious the other guy was not going to give in to his ego and refer me. The 'new guy' is old school, having been working with hands since '75. He not only knows what he's doing, but actually spent a good deal of time talking with me about the problems, what he could do and what I could expect. A nice change from the 5 minutes or less a visit I was previously getting. A surgeon that actually cares about his patient, how unusual!

So on Jan. 16th I underwent another round of surgery. It took close to 2 1/2 hours for him to complete his work. Ligaments had to be re-worked, lots of scar tissue removed, and some procedure on the knuckles, (capsulation?). Included here are 2 pics, one before the surgery and one after. I know the pic is ugly, and may possibly distress some folks. But that is reality, and it could just as easily be one of you. Hopefully it can serve as a reminder to what happens when safety is compromised. Trust me, I'm a whole new believer now. After the surgery I had a large wrapping as 3 drainage shunts were used. All that came off 2 days later, at which time I also started back into therapy. No rest this time! I go to therapy everyday, and while it can be so painful as to make your eyes twitch and knee's quiver, progress is being made. There is much more mobility than before the cutting. The doc seems to think I can get close to 100% back. Personally I think its a bit over optimistic, but even if its just 90%, I'll take it. (index finger being the one that may not get all flex back, but it also took worst of the prop cutting). Eventually, on my last post here, I'll include a summary of events, the dollar cost, devices worn and related health/insurance info. So until the next update, PLEASE, remember safety procedures!

saleens7

good to hear youll be getting most of your mobility back....theres a big difference in the size of your hand on the forst pic and the second....lot of scar tissue removed or just swelling on the first pic?

Radical Departure

My Feedback: (13)

Thanks for the reply. Probably both. It seemed like the swelling never went away after the first surgery, not sure why. Doc said there was a LOT of scar tissue that had to be removed. The swelling this time around has been minimal, maybe from allowing the hand to 'drain' after surgery. May also be from no time immobile in a cast, one day of rest and on to therapy to start working it.

saleens7

your welcome, and i hope youll be flying again soon

i got to start being more carefull too, ill be runnin an airboat soon and i dont want to get prop bitten...(yeah, im a boater in the plane section, but theres not too much interesting stuff over there right now)

BUDMAN27

I am soory you guys got hurt ,but my five year old son and I read these fourms all the time and I really don,t want him to see some the stuff you guys are sowing. so if you really dont want anyone ells to get hurt please stop scaring the kids.

bkdavy

My Feedback: (1)

I'm looking forward to seeing the final info on costs, procedures, etc. As the president of my club, I am VERY interested in ensuring all our members are aware of the risks of unsafe acts. We've only had one member get bitten in three years, and that required some stitches. He didn't follow my basic safety rule of making ALL engine adjustments from BEHIND the plane. Tried removing the glow starter from the front of the plane, and reached through the prop arc.

As for scaring the kids - fear can be a powerful motivator. I hope that a five year old is being properly supervised when reading these forums as well as when flying. We're not playing with toys, but handled properly and with respect for the dangers, they are fun.

Good luck with the hand, and thanks for all the information.

Brad

Medevack1

bkdavy I totaly agree with you i have a 13 yo son and im always supervising when he is working , starting, and flying if these incidents have happend to mature inteligent adults. i cant even imagine what could happent to a kid who is excited about flying and not thinking about safety.....!!!!

rotccapt

i had one bit about 2 years ago i was getting ready to test glide one of my flying wings with a sp400 and an apc 5X5. i was stupid but was not thinking then. i positioned my fingers between the prop and the te of my wing. i had the radio on so that i could add trim to get it to glide right. befor tossing the plane i bumped the throttle and it took half of my middle fingernail off and gashed it prety good. after bumping the throttle the radio went offline because the xtal disloged and i had to hit the power switch on the plane to shut it off.


i had a near miss o few months ago when i was getting ready to start my saito 72 spinning an apc 13X6 on 20/20 fuel. i had just primed the engine and the throttle was at full and i hit it with the starter. since the engine was primed it usualy starts as soon as it hits compression. i was behind the plane with the radio at an arms reach so i was able to bring it back to idal with no harm done. now i make it a habit to check the throttle befor reaching for the starter.

williesims

I drive a truck for a living and one thing I learned a long time ago is that it can happen to you.
Sorry for your mishap and I hope all goes well, One thing though are you part of AMA does the insurance cover you?
I could say do this or that but the fact is we all at one point or another take short cuts
I had a 40 trainer give me a good wack right at the cubical of my thumb I said more than a few dirty words lucky for me I was using a wood prop and it was at a Idle
Something to consider for a work bench would be some sort of brace the plane would sit in so if something like that happend you wouldnt have a runaway

williesims

I just read the post about being afraid it kind of brings back a saying on the road
A fellow is driving nice and slow on snow he is scared
A fellow upside down in the ditch he is stupid
The day you stop fearing what could happen is the day it will hurt you.
The word Fear and Respect seems to always get mixed up.

When I was in school and ROTC I was part of the rifle squad one of our safety classes was our Sarg taking a can of Tomato sauce after shooting it then turned to the students he said if that had been someones head it would have been worse.
It was one hell of a lesson and I can promise you there was no horse playing. Every time we picked a rifle up that ran through our heads.
I also know a fellow that at that time had a thirteen year old he got a CL plane for. One of his first lessons was he took a hotdog wiener with a Balsa stick in its middle and put it through the prop.
I think this should be an example shown to all Kids getting into this hobby. Its not bloody or Gory but it will install some measure of respect needed.

Hegasis

Thanky you for the integrity. It takes a man to admitt that and to look out for others. I'll say a prayer for yor hand hope it all comes out ok