Originally posted by: ricarleite
I vaguely remember that one. I've been to that airport dozens of times for the past few months, and I still have no idea how he was able to drive by the end of the runway. The airport is located in a small "peninsula" thing, so that you only see water until the plane hits the ground. The runway is so small and the airport is so old that since last month it has been used only for Sao Paulo - Rio flights (the most common flight over here). I don't remember seeing any easy way for a taxi to get over there, so I guess he sneaked in during the night for reasons only known to him, as there's absolutely nothing there for him to see. Maybe he was so stupid he thought he could get customers right out of the runway. But the fact is it did really happen, I remember seeing images of it on TV, and it was featured on Discovery Channel's Mythbusters.
Originally posted by: StarTrooper3000
Jet Taxi
2002 Darwin Award Nominee
Confirmed True by Darwin
(30 January 2002, Brazil) Airport taxi drivers frequently hear the announcement, "The white zone is for loading and unloading of passengers only." But Santos Dumont airport in Rio de Janeiro may need to add a new phrase: "The runway is for take-off and landing of airplanes only."
"The signs that tell you to stop when the plane is on the runway are practically invisible," said the director of the local taxi cooperative. Apparently a Boeing 737 preparing for takeoff was equally invisible to one 64-year-old taxi driver, who sped onto the runway after dropping off his fare. He was right behind the jet when it revved its engines in preparation for a 140-mph takeoff.
Local aviation experts say the force of the 737’s jets is comparable to a hurricane, but, we assume, much hotter. The taxi was spun 25 meters through the air, hit the rocks at Guanabara Bay, and ejected its driver. The man’s tip for the trip was a broken skull and thorax. He is presently in a coma.
Airport authorities cited driver error as the cause of the accident.
Jet Taxi
2002 Darwin Award Nominee
Confirmed True by Darwin
(30 January 2002, Brazil) Airport taxi drivers frequently hear the announcement, "The white zone is for loading and unloading of passengers only." But Santos Dumont airport in Rio de Janeiro may need to add a new phrase: "The runway is for take-off and landing of airplanes only."
"The signs that tell you to stop when the plane is on the runway are practically invisible," said the director of the local taxi cooperative. Apparently a Boeing 737 preparing for takeoff was equally invisible to one 64-year-old taxi driver, who sped onto the runway after dropping off his fare. He was right behind the jet when it revved its engines in preparation for a 140-mph takeoff.
Local aviation experts say the force of the 737’s jets is comparable to a hurricane, but, we assume, much hotter. The taxi was spun 25 meters through the air, hit the rocks at Guanabara Bay, and ejected its driver. The man’s tip for the trip was a broken skull and thorax. He is presently in a coma.
Airport authorities cited driver error as the cause of the accident.
I vaguely remember that one. I've been to that airport dozens of times for the past few months, and I still have no idea how he was able to drive by the end of the runway. The airport is located in a small "peninsula" thing, so that you only see water until the plane hits the ground. The runway is so small and the airport is so old that since last month it has been used only for Sao Paulo - Rio flights (the most common flight over here). I don't remember seeing any easy way for a taxi to get over there, so I guess he sneaked in during the night for reasons only known to him, as there's absolutely nothing there for him to see. Maybe he was so stupid he thought he could get customers right out of the runway. But the fact is it did really happen, I remember seeing images of it on TV, and it was featured on Discovery Channel's Mythbusters.
I remember it from Mythbusters. & I remember the pictures of it; they showed a road behind the runway but this says he was on the runway...maybe it was suicide?