The woman was with her family and was holding on to a fence at the end of the runway when a Boeing 737 departed for Trinidad.
The jet's blast blew her and others backwards, causing her to fall and hit her head on concrete pavement.
Signs at the airport warn of the dangers of standing too close to the fence.
A police report said the accident happened about 6pm on Wednesday, local time at Beacon Hill Rd on Maho Beach.
Paramedics reportedly rushed to her aid but she died shortly after.
Aviation commentator Peter Clark said jet blast was "incredibly dangerous", particularly if someone was standing behind a large aircraft.
That particular runway was "very restrictive".
Clark said it was 2300m long - an "average" length runway - and planes would fly directly over the heads of beachgoers.
There's less than 50m from the end of the runway to the water. It's a normal runway but it's a very tight runway. The planes come right over that beach, virtually, to touch down."
He said thrill seekers liked to stand by the end of the runway so the jet blast could throw them into the water.
"People know the dangers. It would pick you up like a piece of paper."
He said there was more danger standing behind the blast from a taking-off plane than a landing one.
Video of her death posted above, looks like the fence let go . Maybe there will be a big lawsuit blaming the fence manufacturer, or the small concrete barrier and the local authorities from not preventing her doing this stunt to kill herself?
Who are more stupid? The woman for partaking in this extreme "sport" or the local authorities not erecting blast deflectors AT THE AIRLINES EXPENSE IF NEEDED! or BOTH !
crazyaviator wrote:Video of her death posted above, looks like the fence let go . Maybe there will be a big lawsuit blaming the fence manufacturer, or the small concrete barrier and the local authorities from not preventing her doing this stunt to kill herself?
That video above was posted 5 years ago. That was a different situation, and the person received a nice gash to the head. What I think is ridiculous is having two sets of curbs/cement barriers there. The first one causes you to trip/stumble and then you go slamming head first into the taller one.
Sure it is a dangerous place but in a world where the risky fun things are disappearing quickly due to everything being regulated this has been one of those that managed to stay untouched. An unfortunate accident that will probably ruin this spot for everyone.
crazyaviator wrote:Maybe there will be a big lawsuit blaming the fence manufacturer, or the small concrete barrier and the local authorities from not preventing her doing this stunt to kill herself?
I view this the same as something like the wingsuit. Risks are pretty clear. If someone accepts the risk, let them. Just don't complain if things go bad.
A sign on the fence similar to the "surgeon general's warning" for smoking might help deter the thrill seekers. Instead of black lungs show images of head trauma and brains spilling out over the concrete. "Jet blast kills"
But half assed jokes aside very sad. I can see how someone might think it's a fun idea, "everyone else is doing it" type thing.
crazyaviator wrote:Video of her death posted above, looks like the fence let go . Maybe there will be a big lawsuit blaming the fence manufacturer, or the small concrete barrier and the local authorities from not preventing her doing this stunt to kill herself?
That video above was posted 5 years ago. That was a different situation, and the person received a nice gash to the head. What I think is ridiculous is having two sets of curbs/cement barriers there. The first one causes you to trip/stumble and then you go slamming head first into the taller one.
Sure it is a dangerous place but in a world where the risky fun things are disappearing quickly due to everything being regulated this has been one of those that managed to stay untouched. An unfortunate accident that will probably ruin this spot for everyone.
You have that right about the concrete curbs. They certainly could idiot proof the place a lot better without having to put up blast fences.
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Last edited by mantogasrsrwy on Fri Jul 14, 2017 1:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
crazyaviator wrote:. Maybe there will be a big lawsuit blaming the fence manufacturer, or the small concrete barrier and the local authorities from not preventing her doing this stunt to kill herself?
And sue the airline for sure as its 100% their fault......2017
I have a great business proposition. Buy the land, install bouncy castle thingys and charge every dufus $20.00 for an opportunity to be blown 50 feet in the air and onto said bouncy castle type thingys !!
Of course, everyone would need to sign a waiver and the operator of said attraction would need a 5 million liability policy ( 20 million for Americans)
I actually think this is quite sad. Outside of technical aviation people, I know of no one who understands the risks of jet blast unless it is explained to them.
And humanity revels in death by stupidity.........................
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Attempting to understand the world. I have not succeeded.
I've been on that beach with the jets taking off. The wise thing to do if you want to experience it is to stand on the beach. At least that way if you're blown away you're going into the water. Not tripping over a curb and slamming into another curb.
confusedalot wrote:I actually think this is quite sad. Outside of technical aviation people, I know of no one who understands the risks of jet blast unless it is explained to them.
And humanity revels in death by stupidity.........................
You're right. It's terrible. I feel sorry for the girl. It was a dumb thing to do, but I do dumb shit all the time too. A lot of it is fun.
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If I'd known I was going to live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself
As someone who works around blowing jets, standing behind one at full power is the last thing I want to do. I hope every one of those idiots gets their head cracked open on those cement blocks. We don't need those morons in the gene pool.
frosti wrote:As someone who works around blowing jets, standing behind one at full power is the last thing I want to do. I hope every one of those idiots gets their head cracked open on those cement blocks. We don't need those morons in the gene pool.
Couldn't agree more. When I look at some of those vids and those dingbats thinking "what a rush" behind a B747 or similar winding up, stupidity is my first inclination.
frosti wrote:As someone who works around blowing jets, standing behind one at full power is the last thing I want to do. I hope every one of those idiots gets their head cracked open on those cement blocks. We don't need those morons in the gene pool.
frosti wrote:As someone who works around blowing jets, standing behind one at full power is the last thing I want to do. I hope every one of those idiots gets their head cracked open on those cement blocks. We don't need those morons in the gene pool.
That's a real classy statement.
Agree with you TeePeeCreeper. Sounds like a certain mustachioed guy from the 1940's ranting and raving, who thought ovens were the answer to humanities imperfections.
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Attempting to understand the world. I have not succeeded.
frosti wrote:As someone who works around blowing jets, standing behind one at full power is the last thing I want to do. I hope every one of those idiots gets their head cracked open on those cement blocks. We don't need those morons in the gene pool.
Yeah and I'm sure they'd probably like to see you run down by a luggage cart. Real classy wishing serious injury upon people. We might as well add bungee jumping, skydiving, race car driving, aerobatics, and anything else thrill seekers want to do to the list of those you wish serious injury upon.
