This is some really, really bad news - for the poor guy and also probably for everybody that is flying remote controlled heli/multicopter! This happened today in Calvert Vaux Park - one of the few NYC/Brooklyn model aircraft fields. http://gothamist.com/2013/09/05/helicopter_kills_decapitate.php
See also: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Toy-Helicopter-Head-Teen-Brooklyn-Gravesend-222576101.html Single rotor copter. The guy killed was the pilot and, according to this story "Witnesses told detectives Pirozek was performing a trick with the model helicopter when something went wrong, according to law enforcement officials." There is a reason, sadly, why they are called "choppers." Andy
It's amazing how close guys will 3D with their heli's, and forget the fact that a small piece of plastic can break anywhere in the heli and cause a loss of control.
What a tragedy. It is sad overall, he was a young guy too. I live and fly in NYC, and most people just read RC helicopter and they don't know the different between single rotors or multicopters. So far the only problems I have had are people asking "how fast, how high, etc" Hopefully this wont impact flying in and around the city. But honestly I feel pretty selfish/guilty saying something like that seeing as how a kid just died. Do some sort of plexi shields or something pilots can stand behind/under exist? It seems pretty crazy throwing giant high-rpm rotor blades around in front of you at insane speeds without any sort of protection.
I am really surprised this hasn't happened sooner but... Very sad for sure I have seen others get real close and personally almost had a haircut from one of my 700's while out for some fun flying. When you see your first chicken dance you understand the power they have.
Kid really I knew how to manipulate that aircraft. I see people do aero at the field I fly but not at the level that this mid was doing. The thing almost defies physics how he can stand it on its tail like that.