Pensioner Accidentally Ejected Out Of Jet

A pensioner who was gifted a ride in a jet was accidentally ejected mid-flight after trying to 'steady himself'.

The bizarre story is part of a report released by the Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis and details how the 64-year-old had been bought the trip as part of a retirement present.

However, after panicking and screaming with fear, the unnamed man accidentally grabbed the ejector seat handle and shot out of the plane at high speed, losing his loosely-fitted helmet as he was flung from the £70 million ($87m) Rafale-B.

Fortunately, the pensioner's parachute opened and he landed in a field close to the German border, suffering only minor injuries.

According to the report, the passenger had never expressed any wish to take the flight, and that it had been organised by the French Air Force at the request of the Defence Ministry, which had put pressure on the 'VIP' to take part.

BEA-É - Ministère des Armées

It said: "The need to keep the surprise until the moment of the flight had hugely risky consequences, especially as regards preparation for the flight.

"Faced with a fait accompli on the day of the flight, it was very difficult for him to refuse to participate in the flight.

"This situation generated a feeling of stress for the passenger, and this was particularly felt during the ejection seat briefing where he had to assimilate a large amount of information in a very short time.

"In addition, the stress of surprise has been magnified by the complete lack of military aviation experience.

BEA-É - Ministère des Armées

"The passenger said he had a complete lack of knowledge of the aeronautical environment and its constraints, having never flown on a military aircraft."

It goes on to state that the passenger had expected a gentle assent, but was shaken as the jet sharply 'climbed at 47 degrees'.

It is this that is said to have caused him to reach out and grab hold something to keep him steady, however, he accidentally pulled on the ejector seat handle, causing him to be yanked out of the plane - the force of which ripped his mask and oxygen mask from his face.

The ejection system is supposed to send both the pilot and the passenger into the air, but the pilot remained seated and was able to land the plane.

The report praises the 'calmness' displayed by the pilot following the loss of his passenger, the report said the 35-year-old was 'in control of the situation'.

Topics: Interesting, Weird

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

@SmithersDom