Author Topic: Well known high power rocketry hobbiest dies in accident  (Read 1327 times)

RocketMan

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Well known high power rocketry hobbiest dies in accident
« on: December 24, 2009, 02:04:47 PM »
Erik Gates, a well known and respected member of the high power rocketry community died in a construction accident last Sunday.
Some of you might remember Erik from some of the Mythbuster episodes where he assisted Adam and Jamie in busting rocket-related myths.

The story is here.

I never met the man, but would have liked to.  He and his brother are very well known in rocketry circles.  They have done some really cool stuff over the years.
RIP, Erik.
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roo_ster

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Re: Well known high power rocketry hobbiest dies in accident
« Reply #1 on: December 24, 2009, 03:53:56 PM »
One moment's inattention...   :'(
Regards,

roo_ster

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geronimotwo

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Re: Well known high power rocketry hobbiest dies in accident
« Reply #2 on: December 24, 2009, 08:40:40 PM »
what a shame.....one of the reasons i don't work on a ladder or roof if i'm feeling fatigued.
make the world idiot proof.....and you will have a world full of idiots. -g2

Hawkmoon

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Re: Well known high power rocketry hobbiest dies in accident
« Reply #3 on: December 24, 2009, 09:18:02 PM »
Very sad, and a preventable accident that should never have occurred. Skylights are known to be "holes in the roof." Building codes and OSHA regulations for years have required either guard railings around skylights to prevent exactly this type of accident, or else the skylight has to have impact-resistant glazing, structural-grade screening, or catch nets beneath them. Somebody didn't do their job at that building.
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cassandra and sara's daddy

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Re: Well known high power rocketry hobbiest dies in accident
« Reply #4 on: December 24, 2009, 10:25:03 PM »
older building perhaps
It is much more powerful to seek Truth for one's self.  Seeing and hearing that others seem to have found it can be a motivation.  With me, I was drawn because of much error and bad judgment on my part. Confronting one's own errors and bad judgment is a very life altering situation.  Confronting the errors and bad judgment of others is usually hypocrisy.


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Antibubba

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Re: Well known high power rocketry hobbiest dies in accident
« Reply #5 on: December 25, 2009, 03:12:58 PM »
He of all people should have known that gravity kills.  Can you imagine his last thoughts?   =(
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Sergeant Bob

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Re: Well known high power rocketry hobbiest dies in accident
« Reply #6 on: December 28, 2009, 01:50:19 AM »
Complacency kills. It's human nature and you need to be vigilant at all times. That's a pretty tough task.
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