People become complacent, distracted, etc., or just aren't warned. The pilot should have warned her - do not approach the airplane from the front; stay out beyond the wingtip until you can approach the airplane from the side, behind the wing.

The article says she was approaching the airplane from the front, in the dark. It doesn't sound like she was getting out. The pilot may have done everything right. Many people don't realize how big propellors are. On a small airplane, they're 5 to 6 feet in diameter. On a big WWII fighter, they were 11 to 12 feet.

Incidentally, Boris Sagal, the father of the actress who played Peg Bundy on "Married with Children", was killed when he walked into a helicopter's tail rotor.

It was 9:30 at night when they disembarked, which means it would've been pitch dark out. Not only that, but when a propeller is spinning at full or near-full rpm, it's nearly invisible in daylight, let alone at night. It's possible she thought she was far enough out to avoid the prop considering there were only injuries to her left side. Accidents happen and I hope she has a speedy recovery!

It's amazing what people can do when distracted or when their minds are elsewhere. I've done things that I've wondered what the hell I was thinking when I did them. Because i've always been considered "handy" in my family,I've got more scars on my hands then most people have on their entire bodies... Each one gained was a lesson learned painfully. God was with Lauren that day because she's still here among us. I wish a speedy recovery to a beautiful lady.

Save the crap comments, KR. You're inappropriate with your hate message!

Also, if she came around and was approaching from the front, I take it she exited one side of the plane, went around it to the front side and then came back on the other to talk to the pilot through his window, then she wouldn't be feeling the wind blast from the prop since she was coming from in front and the wind blast would be heading back along the plane. It's hard enough to see a turning prop at night, let alone at night. The rule is, you do not start your plane's engine up till everyone is in the plane and you do not allow them to disembark until the engine is off and the prop has stopped turning. This isn't a new type of accident and it used to happen more often in the old days when the prop needed to be started by hand - the person's attention would shift and they'd walk into the prop. Just one moment's distraction and you're life is changed forever - and that's if you're lucky enough to live.

Not to mention when the engine is off and the prop has slowed down a lot, it can be almost silent. What a thing to say Sal.....says a lot about your character.

I hate to say that was the same thing I thought. As an aircraft technician of 8 years, light or dark, that is still a ridiculous accident. As young as she is, it is unfortunate.

It's called an accident, that's how. A few years ago a very experienced CFI with several thousand hours of flight time had died a very gruesome death in front of his student by walking into the prop of the Cherokee Warrior they were about to take off in.

Accidents happen and they happen to the best of us.

How very, very tragic for her. I will pray for her to keep her eye and heal well. I do not want to be mis-interpreted but in a world that revolves so heavily around physical appearance, I hope readers will remember how fleeting they are and unimportant they should be to us. I pray she will also learn how beautiful we are regardless how we look.

Sal, hope it never happens to you...

Believe it or not it can happen at night. The Prop from the site does not show up until it is too late. What is strange, you would think that the sound would be some indication, but it isn't. For some reason people seem oblivious to the sound and do not recognize it for what it is, and they continue toward it anyway. Here is a good example of what can happen. In this case the individual is one of the most trained individuals in the military. They know their jobs, and they are trained and tested almost daily. Yet is still happens. This was a jet engine mishap. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unXNdrtf2_g

Believe it or not it can happen at night. The Prop from the site does not show up until it is too late. What is strange, you would think that the sound would be some indication, but it isn't. For some reason people seem oblivious to the sound and do not recognize it for what it is, and they continue toward it anyway. Here is a good example of what can happen. In this case the individual is one of the most trained individuals in the military. They know their jobs, and they are trained and tested almost daily. Yet is still happens. This was a jet engine mishap. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unXNdrtf2_g

People should always be closely escorted to and from any aircraft when the blades are turning, at any speed, day or night, any kind or size of aircraft. No exceptions. I don't think the whole story is in yet, I just hope for the best recovery possible for her.

Sal: Have you ever been around a prop plane? When the engine turns off the blade coasts under its own momentum. Little sound is associated with such. Until it reaches a very very low RPM, such as maybe 20RPM the blade is invisible, but still deadly. There is a reason they paint the edges of the blade yellow. But at 9Pm that does not help.

It seems people are careless around these things. Nobody should disembark while, or embark after, the propeller starts/is turning. If for some reason you have to, walk around the TAIL, not the NOSE.

Black Knight: Jet Engines are different. They will suck you in even at distance. Hence the reason to stay outside of the cone of the intake. The old saying, and this is a little more difficult to do on a Carrier Deck, I imagine, is to never approach until you can count the fan blades. Hell, it applies to props too, never approach until you can count the blades.

kaylainwisconsin --- there is no hope for you! you're the same kind of sad human that says "let them die!". you lack empathy neurons in your brain. it's not really your fault. you were just born without them.

People become complacent, don't follow the 'checklists' (who hasn't said "we've done it like this 100 times before, that never happened"). This no doubt WAS a terrible accident. However, it was avoidable. Let's hope she continues to make good strides in her recovery. She sounds like a top notch individual.

Where's your national brain? Or can you not stay on point, as a general rule?

They make it sound as though she has a job. Why doesn't she have her own healthcare. I for one hope the best for this young woman, but definetly don't feel the need to give away more of my paycheck to pay for her medical issues. If I wanted to do that then I would donate to her site.

She was a model. Models for the most part don not work on a regular basis.her online site was a blog - no income there. probably took her savings to pay rent, bills, and food.

As for the national health care - the unconctitutional law says you must buy health care, or be fined if you don't. The law says nothing to limit what the insurance companies cqan charge. if they say a family of 4 must pay $1,000.00 a month, you pay it or get fined. Good old USA.

Wake up, people !

Actually, the law does say just that: the medical loss ratio provision requires health insurance companies to spend 80% of the consumers' premium dollars they collect—85% for large group insurers—on actual medical care rather than overhead, marketing expenses and profit. On Dec. 2 the regs were issues, and they are not screwing around, disallowing crap like sales people's commissions and lobbyist fees.

As someone who has bought my own insurance since my late 20's, I'm tired of paying for all those who choose to buy big screen tvs instead of health insurance, then go to the ER for free treatment. I'm also tired of being screwed by insurance companies who pay huge salaries to their CEOs while denying sick people the care they need and PAID FOR.

You wake up! Obamacare is the best damned thing since sliced bread, and the only reason the GOP is fighting it is because their moneyed masters don't want to have to start kicking in for health insurance for the unskilled labor they have been WalMarting for years!

Good post, Heidi.

Let me tell you about healthcare, my son was in a freak accident, I have EXCELLENT health insurance, major medical, hospitalization, the works. He was transported by care flight, in ICU, in a coma for 5 months then in rehab for 2 more. After deductibles, co-pays, misc expenses and hidden things not covered etc.. we ended up with medical bills well over 1 million dollars. I can totally see why this family would start a fund. Not to mention the work I missed, I was the parent of an under age minor child, I had to be there for procedures to be performed and things like that. I thank my Aflac rep every chance I get for that policy also. It saved my home. We still ended up having to file bankruptcy over that accident and the medical bills. Tell me Obamacare is going to fix that? I'll believe that when I see it. My son's accident and our eventual financial ruin is the epitiomy of all that is wrong with the health care system in this country.

Kim you are absolutly right. Why does Europe and Canada have health insurance for all their citizens and no one has to go into bankruptcy because of a health issue, and we in the United States force our citizens into bankruptcy for any illness.

Kim and Joe12pak, You are absolutely right. And Kim's experience is an example of what is wrong with the entire discussion in this country. Our healthcare system is so screwed up, even people with decent insurance are bankrupted by one serious illness or accident! Yet, we pretend that isn't the case.

I also know someone who was bankrupted after her insurance company authorized a surgery she needed for lifesaving reasons, but then after the surgery, they changed their decision, refused to pay, and the medical professionals and hospital went after her instead of going after the insurance company they had a contract with and they had an authorization from-and that is what all medical providers do. They let the insurance companies skate when they break their end of agreements and go after their patients instead.

@Heidi, I agree with most of your post, except it is a myth that most people do not have insurance because they are choosing to buy large screen TVs instead. Most people, especially the young, cannot afford either one thanks to a lousy job market, jobs shipped overseas, and employers able to take advantage of the desperation to work people more for less money.

There are a lot of myths in this country about why people don't purchase insurance and why they are in debt. Those myths are spread by the people benefiting financially from our believing them. We stay upset with each other, those other people, instead of those fleecing us.

I'm sure she would die if not for your "prayers".

@marinmom - I could not help but further analyze your habit of spending a rigorous amount of time posting comments in opposition of the "spiritual" comments many individuals write in regards to tragic news. The main reason why I took the time to read most of your comments in the past on this website is because your scientific inclinations reminded me of myself when I was younger. The only difference between you and I is that I kept my musings, philosophy, beliefs and thoughts about Atheistic/Theistic perspectives to myself UNLESS the conversation was a debate about "the meaning of Life". Having acquired a degree in Biology and Chemistry as well as working my way up slowly as a backyard astronomer I can say I have a good scientific background. As someone that has constantly questioned differing belief systems, the only thing I would like to advise to you is that perhaps you should spend your time and "mortal energy" wisely. I don't find it intellectually efficient to spend time coming up with rash statements in opposition of someone's generally positive comment in relation to an unfortunate event (be it that the comment consists of "prayer" or G-d). Perhaps you could transfer the energy you spend looking for "delusional" comments towards gaining more scientific knowledge. Be more introspective.

You probably define people of Theistic beliefs as ignorant but do not forget to think outside of the box yourself. Just because you may have reached a point in your life in which you're 100% sure that “you will shed your mortal body and your energy will become one with all energies” doesn’t mean other possibilities do not exist. Do not forget that fixating yourself on that one belief automatically makes you ignorant to every other possibility. You developed this belief by questioning and learning…don’t stop just now. Keep thinking outside the box.

My regards to Lauren for a successful recovery.

Capillaries,

If bible thumpers can spout their crazy sh** on this site, I deserve equal time to spout my logic. Your attempt at censorship is sad, given that you have spent so much time reading scientific publications and still haven't come to the conclusion that those who believe folklore are just plain nuts. I do appreciate the fact that you did not try to collapse my comments but I do think you need to think about what free speech really means.

Trust me I don't agree with bible thumpers but I don't believe it’s polite for you to pick on someone for just mentioning their "prayers" go out to so and so. They aren't really preaching anything. The word "prayer" in itself is just a lightly used term nowadays to portray some form of positive reinforcement. I never said that YOU ABSOLUTELY SHOULDN'T "spout your logic" because essentially I am doing it as well. I actually enjoy debating about this subject which is why I decided to reply to your previous comment in the first place. The only point I wanted to put across the table with you is that I don't believe the manner in which you go about doing it is respectful towards the individual that got hurt in this story nor does it attract Barbie1947 to your logic. The only thing most people will understand from your comment is that you are an insensitive human being which I am sure you are not.

In regards to not having come to a conclusion yet...that wasn't my argument in the latter. My conclusions about such people are innumerous but it isn’t my priority in this exchange of opinions. This is all mostly in regards to your methods of preaching your logic. Also if I did not believe in free speech then I probably would have collapsed your comment and you know very well I didn’t.

I just imagine a real life (in person) scenario in which so and so was just in an accident…they’re in critical condition…etc. Everyone crowds around and begins to exchange their condolences about that individual you know kind of like on this website. Suddenly you come out amidst all the empathy and start blurting out audaciously to everyone, “I’m sure she would die if not for your prayers” along with whatever else beliefs you have about theism. Everyone would probably think you’re nuts because it’s totally not the right ambience to bring that up. One thing is to believe in science and another is to have morals. I am not acquainted to you in the normal way people go about meeting each other but I would assume that if you are a mother you do have your own set of morals. Anyway you are free to do whatever you feel you deserve you can do. I just wanted to give you my “spout of logic” before I continued along the way. Actually here’s an article you might enjoy that encompasses this subject you feel passionate about. Perhaps here you could share your arguments.

 

I'm sick of suffering because of delusional bible thumpers. I hate all of you and would not save you if you were drowning.

Capillary, your post is nonsensical gibberish. No one is ever going to listen to you unless you quit rambling and get to the point alot quicker.

Here's my point. Respect others and seriously stop being so childish and emotional because of christian missionaries. They aren’t attacking me. I am living it up believing in whatever I want and enjoying life to the fullest! I only made this name to knock some sense in to you to stop wasting your time tapping on everybody’s shoulder about what you're suffering about. I don't need anyone to listen to me. I just saw a smidgen of my past frustration in you and thought perhaps I could let you know you are wasting your life away in front of the computer retaliating against people that could care less. Anyway enjoy the article. I sent it to you personally.

You are not going to make me believe hokey BS by rambling more and more.

Your argument is unbalanced just like the religious conservative self-loathing right wing.

Get used to the fact that if you spout that BS publically, someone is going to call you on it. I am not the only person on this forum to do so either.

@Capillaries, Very well said. I'm afraid marinmom isn't mature enough yet to "hear" you. She isn't even listening because she missed your point and what you actually said entirely. I, however, enjoyed your comments and thought you were quite kind to and in general supportive of marinmom.

Bingo Ted. I can think of one pilot who wished he's "followed the list" that night.

For sure !!! when flying in our company plane, opening the doors to deplane wasn't allowed till the props were TOTALLY stopped

I agree 100% the pilot was responsible, and should be sued for that! Anyway, I hope she can recover soon. I will pray for her!

Sue Sue Sue is all you people ever seem to think about, first of all if you read the article entirely you'd see that the pilot was a friend, I would imagine he feels bad enough about what happened without suing him or taking his licence away, it was a tragic accident, & yes it could have been avoided, my thoughts and prayers are with Lauren and wish her a speedy recovery.

The story says she approached from the front... maybe the props had been stopped when she got off the plane but had been restarted and she was returning to the plane for some reason. Lots of potential scanarios where the pilot isn't at fault. But maybe he is ... just saying we shouldn't base the pilot's future on the lack of info in this story. The story's about how she's recovering, not how she got into this horrible situation.

Well, it's the family's decision whether or not to sue and it looks as though they are not. But it'll be the FAA who will decide whether or not to take his pilot's license away and most likely they will because he violated saftey regulations and that violation caused an injury. It's the same if someone runs a red light in a car and they run someone over - they violated a law/regulation and injured or killed someone, so they must pay the penalty.

Let's not blame the pilot....She did walk into a moving propeller

@ Thakhankubla your statement's not entirely correct about the FAA law, I've attended many airshows, where airplane rides are offered, and unless the pilots getting fuel between rides he keeps the engine running while changing passengers.

I have been taking flight lessons for three months at the santa monica airport. The plane is a Cherokee Archer 2.

We sometimes do student swaps... one student leaves the other gets in the plane.

turning off the engine on an airplane is not as simple as a car. there are checklists and lengthy procedures. So turning off the engine to allow for a passenger to deplane just to immediately taxi away is not convenient. Also there are no rules about shutting down an engine while passengers are boarding a plane.

I'm not going to call her dumb, or blonde or anything like that, anyone of us can made a stupid decision and end up hurt. But it is HER own fault she walked into that propeller. NOT the pilot's. After all. Airports ARE dangerous places.

OK 3 month pilot, been flying 25 years, do you think the pilot now thinks shutting down would have been to much trouble?

Yeah, David, I'd venture to say that the student swap is stupid and irresponsible, possibly illegal. My husband has been flying for 10+ years, I had joined him many times and we'd never, ever leave the plane while the props were moving.

The CFI I wrote about further up, got out of the Warrior to help another pilot close a stuck canopy on a Sport Cruiser without turning off the prop. He turned around to return to his own plane and walked right into it. The witnesses reported that it was awful. They probably will need therapy for a long time.

Agreed...Safety of passengers is and should always be first! I know of a guy in california that has had his drivers liscense revoked...get this: after '9' DUI's! and here's the 'I don't get it part'...he still has his private pilot's liscense & enjoy's smoking pot during solo flights because (in his words): he feels closer to a higher source! That's freaken scary stuff! And in case yaw'll are wondering...'Yes' i've reported him & nothing has been done. i guess anyone can slip thru the cracks of any system? Anyways...Get well Lauren :-)

Despite the popularity of your sort of thinking in contemporary USA, I suggest not every accident be met with fierce retaliation. No doubt the anguish of his friend and young passenger being chopped right in front of him is enough negative consequence to last him a lifetime. Remorse, self-incrimination, trauma, are all enough natural negative consequence for a momentary mistake in judgment even if that mistake results in tragedy.

Thanks for leaving "God" out of it.

disembarkation is a word...it's a mnoun, and means to lave a plane. Opposite of embarkation. Also could have used disembarkment, which means the same. She could also have deplaned.

disembarkation? That's a new one.

Made-up words are funny:)

Reminds me of the Flight attendant who had a brain fart on a recent flight, asking passengers that wanted to "off plane" to do so.

Uh Lloyd,

WTF are you talking bout???

disembarkation, off plane. You know, new words.

you're so political..........

people to disembark

I think you meant "disembarkation", it's a new word, see post 11.

I don't think there's a "law" or procedure for pilots to turn off engines to allow passengers to approach a plane. Airports ARE dangerous places, that's why they had those tall ass fences way before 911 and the fear of terrorist attacks.

I've been taking flight lessons for three months and have deplaned and boarded the plane several times while the prop is idling. We do this to save time and engine life while we students switch for our lessons.

I think anyone can have a brain fart and do something stupid like this. I, however have a world of respect for the spinning machetes in front of the craft and stay acutely aware of where the damn thing is and where it's pointing.

Really wish her eye is good.

What, you have like fifty hours of flight time? That leaves you plenty more to get chopped up by the props if your irresponsible CFI keeps breaking the law and allows student swaps while they are turning.

We do this to save time and engine life while we students switch for our lessons.

and there you have it, the "workaround". Saves time and money, besides, "we do it like this all the time, that never happened". Where have I heard that before? Trust me, your CFI has a list- he's just not following it.

And one more thing David. Flying an aircraft requires brains and guts and I hope you have enough of both to report your idiot of a CFI to the flight school, or if everybody is doing it, report the school to the FAA for violating regulations and reckless endangerment before someone in the not so distant future, gets killed.

cja,

Statements like yours are the reason that some people want nothing to do with Christianity, which in itself is wonderful. Many of you misguided people want to ascribe to God every good and bad thing that happens.

Sad comment, Marinmom.

Marinmon,

If you voted for Obama you are partly to blame for the mess we are in..Another 4 years of that guy and we can really see what "in the crapper" really looks like.

Anyone who blames Obama has not been paying attention. Maybe they had their head up Jaaaayzuuus' butt.

God frequently gives us more than we can handle by ourselves so that we will lean into Him and grow in faith and trust. As for not donating to a family in need - if not now when, if not you then who?? Blaming is not for us to decide; caring for the girl and her family, caring for them in whatever way we are able - that is what we are always called to do.

God doesn't do anything because "he" does not exist.

marinmom;

Here's a novel idea. Suppose you let others follow their beliefs as they chose, as is their right, just as you practice your lack of any as you see fit? How pathetic are you to use this as "advertise" your lack of conviction? I would say your heartlessness is on a grand scale, equaled only to those of the worst communist regimes, Congratulations.

Here's a novel idea. Keep your religious beliefs to yourself. It is offensive to me that so many people believe Bronze Age fairy tales. It depresses me that this country spends so much on education and are still stupid enough to believe folklore.

NO, THIS WAS NOT THE LORD'S PLAN .... THE LORD had nothing to do with this terrible accident and tragedy

THE PILOT DID NOT turn his engines OFF or have his passengers WAIT to deplane UNTIL they had STOPPED

This was the fault of the PILOT ... and NO one else

The "Lord" only exists in Bronze Age mythology.

I understand your point and I didn't see the deleted post, but I have to say, I sort of felt like cringing a little over how much airtime and interviewing by a national media outlet it received because she was a model and the family is attractive. Bad accidents happen every day in every community and they aren't covered by the national media, so I'm not so sure it isn't a valid question or that it is off-topic. Just my two-cents.

Barbarosa,

It seems the "milk of human kindness" curdled in your stomach and found its way to your mouth. You don't have to send her a dime. You also don't have to whine in a national forum wanting to know where your "stuff" is.

Lots of class Barbarosa. You have got to be such a low life to make a comment like that. Maybe someone should push you into a spinning prop. Plus you can't even spell!

Why does things like this bring all the bottom dwellers out like lemmings? This young woman probably hasn't been around that many prop driven planes, as most are jets now. You can barely see a turning prop in day light, at night they are invisible. There is no wind or "wash" in front of the prop. and the noise is much less as well as all that moves to the rear of the prop. I've seen experienced Ground crew members walk into props prepping planes for departure, especially at night. Give it a rest.

You may set up a fund for whatever you like. Whether others want to donate, or not, is entirely up to them.

Well said, Mike in pcb

How do you know? Do you know her?

Yes...but on the other side, ugly is bad to the bone.

We'll said..beauty is in the heart.

Why did "God" let her walk into the propeller?

Why did God let you learn how to type??

God has a sick sense of humor

what do you get when you cross an Agnostic with a dyslexic insomniac???..............

You get a Man who lies awake all night wondering if there really is a Dog.

Lloyd, Dano and Fred you probably go to the same church as Jerry Sandusky.

Jerry Sandusky is a religious man.

I think religious men are effeminate. Must be a child molester thing.

marinmom,

God be with you. You are one sick person..!!!

I don't need an imaginary friend. I am a reality based person.

No church here sweetie. Save for the worshipers.

Ron Paul and the republicans want her to die.

Another ignorant comment

Galt, the entire nation saw it on the republican debate. Are you trying to use the typical republican Jedi mind tricks on me? I saw it. So did everyone else who pays attention. Republicans want the uninsured to drop dead. You can call my comment ignorant all you want. It won't change the truth. Jedi mind tricks only work on the weak minded. That's why you are a republican.

Marinmom;

Clearly you are one without conscience what so ever. Just as other sociopaths. You can sit there and tell lies and make moronic statements like few I've seen and with a straight face. Equally clear, you are far more weak minded than most. You accept the Democratic party line without question. How stupid is that? I on the other hand, trust nothing calling it's self "politician". The four favors of this lying, cheating, double dealing, thieving, money grubbing, power mongering bunch are as follows, Democrat, Independent, Republican and tea party. this forms the acronym D.I.R.T Do you think this coincidence? How is it that's delusional? You, if you believe anything a politician says. After all, when they can post incomes of $1.7 Million on a salary of $160,000, you think they care about you or your welfare? Again, if so you must be a brainwashed Brahman.

Nicodemus, I do not accept the Democratic party line without question. Recently I wrote to President Obama protesting Cannibis Club closures. I also disagree with his stance on making electronic medical records available to ANY doctor. Other than that, I agree with the Democratic stance on just about everything. You see, Nico, I am not stupid or delusional enough to believe ANYTHING that comes out of the mouth of a republican, especially a "religious" one.

Z:)

There is nothing in the videos that is of any significance but if you still want to watch it open it in "a new window" and it should work.

I think you make a good point, and it's an interesting one to consider: would this be such a huge story if the girl was average looking and worked as a bank teller (rather than an editor)? Probably not.

But, I do think that the reason people are so interested in this is because she was a model and an editor. There probably are plenty of gorgeous people who get severely injured and disfigured that we never hear about, but the fact that this young woman had a bright future of modeling/editing ahead of her is what, I think, the story is about.

Either way, though, I think she can still have a bright future. She seems like a very optimistic person!

The reason this is "news" is because the young woman will most likely lose those good looks, and there is symbolism of the loss of her hand since she is also a writer. While I agree that there does seem to be more coverage for "pretty" people, do not reverse discriminate and say she is less worthy of news or discussion because she is pretty. I think the story has decent merit for human interest in the same way any story where an accident caused a seemingly ironic outcome.

usn vet this is for you. i have never been ashamed that my husband is a retired US Navy veteran until i read your comment. The fact they let people like you into the Navy is unbelieveable. Karma is a bitch. If you have children i would start praying. I would never say that in fear that God or Karma would do something to my child in return. It doesnt matter is she is pretty or ugly I wouldnt want any family to go through this.

USN vet - all pretty people arent stupid. all ugly bitter people like to say that. So we know where your coming from.

With you all the way, USNVET!

Sure it's sad that someone had an unfortunate accident--BUT there are times when people just do extremely stupid things--and, therefore, the level of compassion needs to take a backseat to the simple fact that a stupid person put her/himself in a stupid situation and therefore got hurt for it.

I can't feel sympathy for propeller-blade-blondie anymore than I can for some idiot who died or was eternally disfigured because he/she walked out into traffic while blabbing on their cell phone or because they were doing some stupid car stunt and burned up or died plunging off a highwire, etc.

BUT there are times when people just do extremely stupid things--

Yeah, just look at our elected officials......

Good point, Lloyd: on both sides of the aisle.

USNVET, I agree with you. This is a story only because the victim was a model -- had it happened to anyone else, it would have been buried on page 6 of a local fishwrapper. Also agree with Critic -- everyone seems to be prejudging the pilot, when he may have done everything right within FAA rules. My question through all this is still: why would anyone...anyone..put their life in harm's way by doing what she did? Careless, distracted, just plain stupid --whatever -- on either the pilot's part or hers -- let the FAA and NTSB (if they are part of the investigation) determine how it happened. Let's hope this woman has a strong recovery and can eventually lead a near-normal life.

Lloyd, I agree. Our congress is pretty f'd up.

To Marcia - my comment was directed to the media giving attention to a story that hold no relevance other than ratings. I know my comments tend to be a bit odd but are written for people to think and open their minds to the motives not just the words the media throws at us. I am sorry if you were not intelligent enough to get it...most who comment did and for that thank you for reading between the lines. As for your comment about Karma I do fine disgusting. Karma is not selective to to say "karma is a bitch and I better start praying for your kids" then you must be implying that the young lady and her family must have done something to deserve this tragic accident. In that case you should be ashamed of yourself. And last I also find your comment about being ashamed of my service to my country. Just remember my service I did was to preserve my rights as an American... the same rights you have to openly bad mouth me for viewing my opinion. So instead of trying to trash my service maybe a simple thank you would be nice.

I'm with you on that MM. Oh, and sorry for referring to you as "sweetie" up there. You lumped me in with the Church goers, and that is not me. Ruffled my feathers.

Lloyd, not sure what was percieved. No harm intended.

Most accidents do not happen because the victims or whoever caused the accidents are stupid. They happen due to lack of knowledge or a momentary mistake. All people make momentary mistakes at some point, even the most brilliant among us.

If this was not a pretty girl with a pretty family, the accident would not be national news, but the fact that our watered-down "news" media wants to cover it for ratings is not the fault of the girl. She is merely an accident victim living through a trauma, as are her parents. She does not deserve to be ridiculed just because the news media is so vacuous these days and the corporations that own them won't pay for actual investigative journalists anymore.

She and her family are not "blaming someone else." People commenting on this site are. Her family already stated they do not blame the pilot.

Just because people make mistakes that cause accidents does not mean they do not deserve our empathy and sympathy. All of us deserve both. It isn't reasonable or even healthy or balanced to deny sympathy to other people, even when they are strangers to us, just because they make mistakes. Anyone who believes that is an appropriate response to other humans after they've suffered any sort of tragedy or trauma needs to take a look in the mirror and ask themselves where their humanity went and work on getting it back, because they are not the best sort of neighbors and community members if we want positive, thriving, healthy communities and families.