One of Dubai's famed Jetmen killed in a crash in November failed to deploy the emergency parachute attached to the winged engines strapped to his back, an investigation found.
Investigators from the General Civil Aviation Authority gave no explanation why Vincent Reffet, 36, of Annecy, France, did not use his parachute in the fall during a training flight in the desert.
Describing Mr Reffet as an "experienced professional skydiver" and jetwing pilot, the investigators said a video from the November 17 crash appeared to show him lose control and go into a backflip, hovering about 240 metres above the ground.
Such backflips are common when wearing the wings and recoverable if the pilot thrusts forward through the flip, the report said.
The investigation could not determine why the pilot did not[deploy his chute]
Mr Reffet had experience coming out of those flips, but at higher altitudes, Associated Press reported, citing the findings.
"The risks of the 800-feet hover were discussed during the pre-flight briefing and, as a risk mitigation, it was decided to abort the flight and to deploy the pyro-rocket emergency parachute should the jetwing become uncontrollable," the report said.
“The investigation could not determine why the pilot did not choose this mitigation action.”
Video from a camera attached to Mr Reffet's helmet showed the parachute deployed only after he crashed to the ground. Prior to that, his hands moved as though he thought he could enter into a hover again, the report said. The jetwing showed no mechanical problems before or during the flight, investigators said.
The training flight was to simulate a take-off from the ground, a triangular flight and a jet-powered landing on a 244-metre platform, the report said. A helicopter at that altitude was to simulate the platform, but investigators found no sign it played a part in the crash.
Flight sponsors XDubai did not comment on the report, nor did Jetman Dubai, for whom Mr Reffet flew.
“The loss of Vince Reffet was devastating to his family, many friends, and colleagues," said a Jetman Dubai Spokesperson.
"Immediately following the accident, our top priority was to support both his family and colleagues, as well as provide our full assistance to the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) as they conducted their investigation into the circumstances of the accident.
"Our thoughts remain with Vince’s family and friends.”
Mr Reffet previously base-jumped off the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, setting a world record. He earned gold medals while competing as a free-flying skydiver and competed as an extreme athlete.
Pilots for Jetman Dubai, founded by Swiss adventurer Yves Rossy, zip across the sky with a four-engine, carbon-Kevlar wing strapped to their backs. The wings can fly 50 kilometres, have a maximum speed of more than 400kph and can reach an altitude of 6,100 metres.
In 2015, Mr Reffet and Mr Rossy flew alongside an Emirates Airbus A380 double-decker jetliner over Dubai.
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
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%3Cp%3EEncourage%20innovation%20in%20the%20metaverse%20field%20and%20boost%20economic%20contribution%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20outstanding%20talents%20through%20education%20and%20training%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20applications%20and%20the%20way%20they%20are%20used%20in%20Dubai's%20government%20institutions%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAdopt%2C%20expand%20and%20promote%20secure%20platforms%20globally%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20the%20infrastructure%20and%20regulations%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
'The Lost Daughter'
Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal
Starring: Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Dakota Johnson
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
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How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
