RIO NEGRO, ARGENTINA: A pilot narrowly avoided a major plane crash while performing a stunt in front of viewers. The right wing of the Van's RV-7A the pilot was flying at the Allen Aeroclub Air Show in Rio Negro, scraped across the ground dangerously while he flew the plane very close to the ground. The pilot was unharmed and landed the aircraft. Only the right wing was damaged, according to the Aviation Safety Network.
The Argentinian Transportation and Safety Board launched an investigation into the accident after noticing the damage to the plane. "We were in front, and a piece of plastic from the plane flew at us and it continued as if nothing had happened," Alejandro, an eyewitness, told Aviation24.
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What happened to Van's RV-7A LV-X722?
In a video, the Van's RV-7A was seen making a low pass when the right wing, which was too close to ground, scraped against the ground badly. Despite the damaged wing, the pilot was able to gain altitude and later, land without mishap, as per Aviation Safety Network.
A second video shows how the pilot manages to correct the flight and continue flying. "He [the pilot] made a safe landing moments later. No one has been injured, although the plane has been damaged," said a tweet. The people around could be heard screaming in the videos.
'Perhaps for sheer skill or even luck'
The emotional videos received a swift response online, and some expressed satisfaction that the pilot had avoided the tragedy. A user tweeted, "Perhaps for sheer skill or even luck... Anyway, this pilot managed to save the day for him and everyone else there." One user mentioned, "I think the pilot is aware that it is normal for him to be dead right now. The possibility of having survived as it has been seems infinitesimal to me. " Some user speculated that something led the incident and wrote, "Nobody makes passes at low altitude like the Argentines. There must be a reason." SOme doubted the pilot's carelessness and said, "Very reckless that pilot, could have caused a tragedy."
