Indian inventor dies in homemade helicopter accident • Hacker News Board

Re: Indian inventor dies in homemade helicopter accident

#11

Post by q-rews » Mon, Aug 16, 2021, 5:12 AM UTC

brutus1213 wrote: post #2

I was watching the Stuff Made Here Youtube channel (amazing channel btw) and was getting tempted by Shane's (guy running said channel) shop tour ([1]). Surely I could get tool X and operate it safely? But yeah .. I'd likely get myself maimed or worse. YouTube makes this sort of stuff seem so accessible, this is a reminder of the obvious .. power tools and moving parts can kill. As software people, we sometimes don't…

It's kind of a problem when people don't like to RTFM which contains all the warnings necessary.

Which reminds me I used to play with my father’s power tools on my own when I was 8-10 years old. Good times.

Re: Indian inventor dies in homemade helicopter accident

#12

Post by PikachuEXE » Mon, Aug 16, 2021, 5:13 AM UTC

sillysaurusx wrote: post #9

SapporoChris wrote: post #3

>The inventor taught himself the basics of aeronautical engineering using YouTube and over two years built a single-seater helicopter using a car engine and scrap metal. I am speaking without enough knowledge. But I have to wonder if this serves as a harsh criticism of Youtube. I do understand Youtube is a mixed bag of resources. More structured learning might have resulted in better understanding of material strengt…

Better not let the commoners learn too much. They might hurt themselves.

I guess it's caused by not learning enough instead of learning too much?

Re: Indian inventor dies in homemade helicopter accident

#13

Post by diskzero » Mon, Aug 16, 2021, 5:14 AM UTC

It is sad his passion to build and create ended with this accident. I have built and flown my own aircraft and even with excellent supervision and safety procedures in place, I still wonder if an improperly deburred rivet hole or a bad batch of resin will end up being the cause of my demise.

Re: Indian inventor dies in homemade helicopter accident

#14

Post by beprogrammed » Mon, Aug 16, 2021, 5:14 AM UTC

Dying buy your own creation is just the final tier of fun in inventing.

Stand back, I built this sh*t myself!

RIP buddy.

Re: Indian inventor dies in homemade helicopter accident

#15

Post by wincy » Mon, Aug 16, 2021, 5:16 AM UTC

He didn't have a helmet or so much as a seatbelt in the helicopter. The tail rotor flew off, hit the main rotor at a high speed, which knocked him sideways, out of the fuselage. It was at this point his head came into contact with the spinning main rotor, likely killing him instantly. A seatbelt seems like it would have saved his life.

It was recorded, which is how I know this, I honestly wouldn't suggest looking for it as it's pretty horrific. It's sad that such a smart person didn't apply the most basic of safety protocol though.

Re: Indian inventor dies in homemade helicopter accident

#16

Post by rowanG077 » Mon, Aug 16, 2021, 5:21 AM UTC

vicda wrote: post #5

brutus1213 wrote: post #2

I was watching the Stuff Made Here Youtube channel (amazing channel btw) and was getting tempted by Shane's (guy running said channel) shop tour ([1]). Surely I could get tool X and operate it safely? But yeah .. I'd likely get myself maimed or worse. YouTube makes this sort of stuff seem so accessible, this is a reminder of the obvious .. power tools and moving parts can kill. As software people, we sometimes don't…

> I'm also curious how one builds up strong manufacturing skills safely? While getting mentored at jobs that takes OSHA violations seriously? Most youtube maker channels are full of comments complaining about how lacking the hosts are in their safety.

I wouldn't put much stock in those comments. Every cat video also contains comments that the cat is either about to die or the owner is abusing the cat.

Re: Indian inventor dies in homemade helicopter accident

#17

Post by elromulous » Mon, Aug 16, 2021, 5:23 AM UTC

Relevant (and terribly interesting) wiki page[1]. I was impressed it was already updated with this accident.

[1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_inventors_killed_by_...

Re: Indian inventor dies in homemade helicopter accident

#18

Post by eurasiantiger » Mon, Aug 16, 2021, 5:24 AM UTC

I saw the video. The rear propeller disintegrated during operation, seemingly from material failure. Two of the blades shot out to the ground and the third went into the main rotor a short while after, unbalancing it and causing the blades to hit the fuselage and the helicopter to jump, twist and throw the pilot out.

Very sad accident indeed. It makes one think that maybe the ”hero inventor” stereotype does not lend itself well to our current level of technology: it’s too easy to fatally overlook something vitally important.

Re: Indian inventor dies in homemade helicopter accident

#19

Post by hungryhobo » Mon, Aug 16, 2021, 5:26 AM UTC

as unfortunate as the event is, inventor is probably not the right description.

Re: Indian inventor dies in homemade helicopter accident

#20

Post by smt88 » Mon, Aug 16, 2021, 5:28 AM UTC

sillysaurusx wrote: post #9

SapporoChris wrote: post #3

>The inventor taught himself the basics of aeronautical engineering using YouTube and over two years built a single-seater helicopter using a car engine and scrap metal. I am speaking without enough knowledge. But I have to wonder if this serves as a harsh criticism of Youtube. I do understand Youtube is a mixed bag of resources. More structured learning might have resulted in better understanding of material strengt…

Better not let the commoners learn too much. They might hurt themselves.

The problem with YouTube as an alternative to formal education is that it doesn't tell you what you don't know.

YouTube should warn people that its content shouldn't be mistaken for a comprehensive education on a dangerous topic.