Risk Management Magazine

This weather was much worse than METRO had given us 20 minutes prior. The visibility decreased to one-quarter mile with a ceiling of less than 100 feet.

The rider stopped his motorcycle to render honors to the flag in front of the 1st Armored Division Headquarters. The military police had halted all traffic, as the flag would be lowered in just a few seconds. Then, the unthinkable happened — an inattentive driver plowed into the rider at 40 mph.

Let’s face it, we aviators — especially helicopter pilots — are an egotistical breed. It’s no secret that we have Type-A personalities, but we have to in order to complete the dangerous and complex missions required of us. Sometimes, however, our egos and it-won’t-happen-to-me attitudes can lead us to trouble.