PaulSommers Posted July 20, 2005 Report Share Posted July 20, 2005 I heard that an operator fell 15-20 feet from a crane during a chassis move on the set of Vegas last thursday. He sucessfully navigated the step on and then during the move someone's foot got under a wheel. This led to a chain reaction that ended with the operator getting tossed. I'm only reporting a rumor, but I'm wondering if anyone has details. Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members jay kilroy Posted July 20, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 20, 2005 The crane accident is true. I also do not know all the details. I think out of respect to those involved we shouldn't talk about it untill the details are released. jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Charles Papert Posted July 20, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 20, 2005 I agree, however lest anyone fear the worst, I can at least report that the operator is thankfully still with us and was in fact able to walk out of the emergency room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members David Allen Grove Posted August 5, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 5, 2005 With all these accidents happening I thought I'd share what I found on the net. Let's be careful out there! Original link: http://hd24.com/usa_union_heli_safety.htm Motion Picture/Television Production: Fatalities 1980-89 1980 Rodney Mitchell (cameraman) TV Series: "Dukes of Hazzard".Circumstances: car chase 1980 Robert Van Der Kar (cameraman) TV Series: "Magnum PI". Circumstances: helicopter accident 1980 unknown stuntwoman * Film. Circumstances: fall from roof. 1980 unknown male (producer) *Film: unknown Circumstances: hit by steel beam 1981 Jack Tyre (stuntman) Film: "Sword and the Sorcerer".Circumstances: falling off cliff stunt. 1981 Boris Sagol (director) TV Film: "World War III". Circumstances: helicopter accident 1981 unknown male (camera assistant) *Film. Circumstances: hit by truck 1982 Jack Tandberg (cameraman) TV Film: "The Five of Me". Circumstances: car chase 1982 David Perrin (stunt pilot), Jaron Anderson (mechanic), Nigel Thornton (helicopter pilot).Film: "High Road to China" Circumstances: helicopter crash en route to location in Yugoslavia 1982 Vic Morrow, Myca Dinh Lee, Renee Chen (performers) Film: "The Twilight zone".Circumstances: helicopter accident. 1983 Joseph Leonard Svec (skydiver) Film: "The Right Stuff". Circumstances: skydiving accident 1984 Jon Eric-Hexum (actor) TV Series: "Cover-Up".Circumstances: blank gunshot 1985 Art Scholl (stunt pilot) Film: "Top Gun". Circumstances: airplane accident 1985 Reid Rondell (stuntman) TV Series: "Airwolf" Circumstances: helicopter accident 1985 Claudio Cassinelli (actress), Don Nasca (pilot) Film: "Hands of Stone". Circumstances: helicopter accident 1985 Rich Holley (pilot) Film: "Runaway Train". Circumstances: helicopter accident en route to Alaska filming location 1985 unknown stuntman * Entertainment production. Circumstances: fall from height. 1986 Dar Robinson (stuntman) Film: "Million Dollar Mystery". Circumstances: motorcycle stunt 1986 Bruce Ingram (cameraman) Film: "The Wraith". Circumstances: car chase 1986 Martin Wenzel and Conrad Wenzel (bystanders) Film: "Gor".Circumstances: gas cylinder explosion-fire scene in South Africa. 1986 unknown fatality **Film: unknown Circumstances: crane accident 1987 Victor Magnotta (stuntman) Film: "Skip Tracer".Circumstances: car stunt 1987 4 unknown fatalities Film: "Braddock: "Missing in Action III". Circumstances: helicopter crash in Philippines. 1988 Patrick Dungan (electrician) Film: "Men Don't Leave". Circumstances: electrocution 1989 Geoff Brewer (stuntman), Gadi Danzig (cameraman), Michael Graham (key grip), Jojo Imperial (pilot), Don Marshall (gaffer). Film: "Delta Force 2".Circumstances: helicopter crash in Philippines. 1989 Clint Carpenter (stuntman) Film: "Hired to Kill". Circumstances: helicopter stunt in Corfu. 1989 Tobi Halicki (director) Film: "Gone in 60 Seconds II". Circumstances: falling water tower special effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Brad Grimmett Posted August 5, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 5, 2005 Wow, it's amazing how many of those are helicopter related. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Eric Fletcher S.O.C. Posted August 5, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 5, 2005 Wow, it's amazing how many of those are helicopter related. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> And what most people don't understand is that the two single engine aircraft's with the best safety record both happen to be Helicopters. The Safest is the Bell 206 Jetranger Series and the second safest is the Robinson R-22 (Totally unsuited for aerial work BTW due to size and VERY Limited payload) Just Remeber there are always two sides to a story or statistics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Matias Mesa Posted August 5, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 5, 2005 There was a crane accident a few years ago in Argentina, were the grip asistant (key grip's son) was about to wrap the crane afret the last shot of the movie was done. The whole crew was celebrating with beer, champagne, eveybodey was happy because it has been a very difficult proyect. When this kid tried to move tha crane that was on track and loaded with wheights but no people on it, he pushed it fom behind the base. The crane steped down from the track, without any kind of ramp wich maked the crane's weight bucket to boom down crushing this kids head againt the base of the dolly. He died 3 hours later in hospital, he was 18 and no insurance because he was just helping his dad on thet day and nobody knew that. Be safe with cranes and any other type og heavy equipment. We are allway at big risk on this job, and we allways have a director yelling "Closer,Closer. faster, Faster" and peole get killed after that. Be Safe. Matias Mesa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members RonBaldwin Posted August 7, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 7, 2005 Eric mentioned the safety record of heli's, but that's not the problem. It's the pilots showing off for the cameras (I wonder how many of those helicopter crashes were due to mechanical failure? -- most likely few to none?). I guess my point is that if you point a camera at any vehicle the pilot/driver will go a little faster, turn a little sharper, fly a little lower, get a bit closer to the side of a cliff or power lines, etc... How many times have you shot a car stunt when take 1 almost shashed someone, but all the rehearsals were fine? Bottom line...get out of this business while you are still alive -- and stay the heck away from helicoptors (unless Eric is flying!). RB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Marc Abernathy Posted August 10, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 10, 2005 i also believe there was a stuntman to die on the first XXX movie with vin disel (sp?)... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry McConkey Posted August 18, 2005 Report Share Posted August 18, 2005 Another major problem with helicopter use on films is that typically most shots for movies require the helicopter to fly in the very regime that is most unsafe for helicopters. There is a curve plotted for each machine that describes the speed/altitude for safe operation, i.e., allows for autorotation if there is an engine failure. What this translates to is either speed or altitude - either one will save you, but most movie shots require the helicopter to operate low and relatively slow, so there is no margin for error or failure. I used to do a lot of helicopter/Steadicam shots, but my friends and family have prevailed upon me to stop. Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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