i often bring my 3 year old nephew with me to the field. Stories like this scare me. When i am flying i make sure he is next to me. When i want to land i have him hold onto my pant leg so i know where he is. often, a flying buddy will keep on eye on him during my flight also. He loves airplanes, but is too young to realize the danger that they pose. He has been very good and is never in the way, but i make sure he is always next to me. I know for sure, so help me god, if any aircraft ever was to happen to be heading remotely in his direction, i would make sure i would be between him and the plane. I dont care whether helicopter, or 50% ultimate bipe, i would without a doubt protect him first, then if there is time, myself. Stories like this are sad, but they do happen.

I also know, if i was on the other end (the pilot) and my plane was heading for a person(s), i would rather nose it into the ground then risk trying to save the plane and turn away from the people. Cause the save may not happen, and then you have a major tragedy on hand.

Take a look at full scale airshows. #1 priority of the pilot in a failure is to direct the aircraft away from spectators, then if there is time, eject. Just look at the example of the f-16 from the thunder birds. The pilot was .3 seconds away from impact because he manuevered the plane away from the crowd, then ejected. His life was saved along with many, many spectators. Sadly, many a airshow pilot has died directing a disabled aircraft away from spectators, to only run out of time to eject.

We all need to give our part in safety. Sadly, like in this case, the pilot was not aware of the location of spectators and a tragic accident happened.
I make i know where onlookers are, i even ask other pilots that arnt in the air where spectators are, and i also advise if a person is approaching the flight area and another pilot is flying.

please fly safe, for the sake of our hobby.

sean