June 14, 2004: Papillon Helicopters, Inc. Bell 206L-3 near Dripping Springs, Grand Canyon, AZ
No one thought it was unusual when 25 year old Timothy Clam tried several times during the day to book the front seat on a Papillon Helicopters air tour flight. After all, the front seat with it's wide view is the "choice seat" to see the awesome spires and cliffs that make up the spectacular Grand Canyon, but this was prime tourist season and the flights were too full to accommodate any specific seat request. Determined to have the front seat, the Illinois native returned the next day and he was in luck, there was a flight and the front seat was his.
The passengers along with Clam arrived early at the terminal to view the safety video which explained how to operate the seat belts and open the doors in the event of an emergency. Clam sat silently, but intently watching the video as if he was studying every detail and procedure.
Along with Clam for the 45 minute air tour were four other passengers and pilot Maria Langer. This was Maria's first season working as a helicopter air tour pilot. With everyone buckled up the Bell 206L3 LongRanger lifted off from the pad and flew westbound toward the air tour corridor. After about 38 minutes into the tour and approaching the canyon's south rim, Clam quietly undid his seat belt, opened the front left door of the helicopter, and tried to push his way out against the roaring slipstream. Langer, flying the helicopter, tried to reach over and pull Clam back in, but was overpowered by the determined suicidal passenger. Fearing that she would lose control of the helicopter or be pulled out into the canyon along with Clam, She let go and the deranged man fell over 4,000 feet to his death.
One passenger seated in the back said he saw the man, who had "seemed perfectly normal and quiet", fly past the window. He added: "There was just total and utter disbelief. I thought This can't be happening". Others thought the helicopter would crash. A passenger, from Los Angeles, added: "We all thought we were going to die. The helicopter tilted when he went out the door and the air came rushing in". Maria Langer landed the helicopter near White's Butte with her remaining shaken passengers. Maria Langer no longer flies tours over the canyon. Something she does not regret.
Read MoreThe passengers along with Clam arrived early at the terminal to view the safety video which explained how to operate the seat belts and open the doors in the event of an emergency. Clam sat silently, but intently watching the video as if he was studying every detail and procedure.
Along with Clam for the 45 minute air tour were four other passengers and pilot Maria Langer. This was Maria's first season working as a helicopter air tour pilot. With everyone buckled up the Bell 206L3 LongRanger lifted off from the pad and flew westbound toward the air tour corridor. After about 38 minutes into the tour and approaching the canyon's south rim, Clam quietly undid his seat belt, opened the front left door of the helicopter, and tried to push his way out against the roaring slipstream. Langer, flying the helicopter, tried to reach over and pull Clam back in, but was overpowered by the determined suicidal passenger. Fearing that she would lose control of the helicopter or be pulled out into the canyon along with Clam, She let go and the deranged man fell over 4,000 feet to his death.
One passenger seated in the back said he saw the man, who had "seemed perfectly normal and quiet", fly past the window. He added: "There was just total and utter disbelief. I thought This can't be happening". Others thought the helicopter would crash. A passenger, from Los Angeles, added: "We all thought we were going to die. The helicopter tilted when he went out the door and the air came rushing in". Maria Langer landed the helicopter near White's Butte with her remaining shaken passengers. Maria Langer no longer flies tours over the canyon. Something she does not regret.
Pilot Maria Langer began flying
Timothy Clam
