I pen these words as the victim of an accident involving a PA-28 Piper Cherokee aircraft (G-ATPN) at Norwich Airport on 2nd May 2011. The pilot, JOHN DOUGLAS FELLOWS, having parked up, did not secure the flaps in accordance with standard procedure. As a result I, YVONNE JOAN WILSON, sustained a serious fracture to my left ankle. It required surgery and fixation with two screws. Six months on, I have not been without excruciating pain - despite taking a mountain of drugs every day - for as much as a second. I now face having to endure further surgery to get the wretched screws taken out again as there is local impingement. In layman's terms, pain with every slight movement.
You may wonder why the names are in capital letters. Here's the reason. The Air Accident Investigation Branch, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, have all shown complete indifference to my identity, my welfare, or the severity and continuing problems regarding my injury. There have been no sanctions taken against the pilot. Technically, he is free to do the same again as soon as he wishes..... as would any other pilot be in this situation. There is NO protection for the innocent victims. None at all. They care about the actual planes. The heap of fibreclass and metal gets accorded its registration number. But the victim? Anonymous.
Southend Flying Club, who own the plane, haven't even sent me so much as a get well soon card, despite knowing me very well there. They were happy enough to take John's money throughout his time there, we note.
My lifelong interest in planes has been destroyed. The aviation industry in its myriad forms are as much responsible for this as the onjury and resulting pain. I had no idea that such callousness could exist. I genuinely expected to have to provide my own witness statement, to be asked how I was progressing, to be asked if I had any suggestions..... SILENCE.
My only recourse is to take legal action to seek compensation for my injury. But how do you put a price on constant pain? How do you put a price on a lifetime's interest wiped out? How do you put a price on the loss of independence, confidence, choice, free will? How do you put a price on losing so much and not even being given a name?
My name is YVONNE JOAN WILSON. Are you listening, CAA, AAIB, AOPA? I was injured by the decision taken by your member to look out of the window to check the flaps rather than use the flap lever as instructed. As the plane had only one exit door, the victim of this mistake was only ever going to be me.
I now need care and looking after. John has lost six months from his job, with dire consequences - but that's hardly MY fault. I didn't ask to be hurt. I never wanted to do anything other than support him and encourage him. My reward? To be a nameless nothing. This absolutely stinks.
You may wonder why the names are in capital letters. Here's the reason. The Air Accident Investigation Branch, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, have all shown complete indifference to my identity, my welfare, or the severity and continuing problems regarding my injury. There have been no sanctions taken against the pilot. Technically, he is free to do the same again as soon as he wishes..... as would any other pilot be in this situation. There is NO protection for the innocent victims. None at all. They care about the actual planes. The heap of fibreclass and metal gets accorded its registration number. But the victim? Anonymous.
Southend Flying Club, who own the plane, haven't even sent me so much as a get well soon card, despite knowing me very well there. They were happy enough to take John's money throughout his time there, we note.
My lifelong interest in planes has been destroyed. The aviation industry in its myriad forms are as much responsible for this as the onjury and resulting pain. I had no idea that such callousness could exist. I genuinely expected to have to provide my own witness statement, to be asked how I was progressing, to be asked if I had any suggestions..... SILENCE.
My only recourse is to take legal action to seek compensation for my injury. But how do you put a price on constant pain? How do you put a price on a lifetime's interest wiped out? How do you put a price on the loss of independence, confidence, choice, free will? How do you put a price on losing so much and not even being given a name?
My name is YVONNE JOAN WILSON. Are you listening, CAA, AAIB, AOPA? I was injured by the decision taken by your member to look out of the window to check the flaps rather than use the flap lever as instructed. As the plane had only one exit door, the victim of this mistake was only ever going to be me.
I now need care and looking after. John has lost six months from his job, with dire consequences - but that's hardly MY fault. I didn't ask to be hurt. I never wanted to do anything other than support him and encourage him. My reward? To be a nameless nothing. This absolutely stinks.
