A pilot lost part of an arm in a horrific accident at Fenland Airfield in Holbeach St Johns.
The man was starting his single-seater plane’s engine by a traditional method of swinging the propeller.
The accident severed an arm between the elbow and hand. It happened at about 2pm on Saturday during an open day and the Vintage Aircraft Club’s Daffodil Rally.
An aviation enthusiast told The Voice: “Many older lightplanes, pre-war through 1950s, do not have self-starters, and you have to ‘swing’ the propeller to get the engine running – a bit like hand-cranking a car in the old days.”
The experienced pilot, from Yorkshire, was flown to hospital – and is said to have been discussing getting a new plane with a self-starter the following day.
A friend posted on a forum: “I have just returned from the hospital and to hear the patient talk, it’s only a mere scratch. Very embarrassed by the accident, but thanks everybody for their best wishes and rapid recovery. He has lost the lower part of his arm about two-thirds down from the elbow.
“As a retired medical person he was already giving me info on how the prosthetics were going to fit only 24 hours after the accident.
“They threw the mould away when they made him. He has already told me to find him a new aircraft, but with a starter this time.”
More than 100 pilots brought aircraft to the event.
Fenland Aero Club president and air traffic controller Ray Nicholson, who was present but did not witness the incident, said everybody who helped the injured pilot was praised by air ambulance staff for their actions.
“They said everyone did exactly the right thing,” he said. “We understand the pilot is in good spirits and wish him well in his recovery.”
