FAA Investigates Death Of Aerial Stunt Man
HARRISON TWP. (WWJ) - Federal investigators are at Selfridge Air National Guard base looking into Sunday's tragic death of an aerial stunt man.
Todd Green, a wing walker, fell 200 feet to the ground while attempting to move from a Stearman biplane to a helicopter during the air show in Harrison Township.
Public affairs officer, Capt. Penny Carroll , says it's too soon to determine what impact the incident might have on events moving forward.
"Of course, we'll be looking to the results of the investigation to make determinations of there will be changes for future air show," Carroll said..
An estimated 75,000 spectators were gathered at the base, when Green fell to his death.
Following the accident, people sat in stunned silence, many of them crying or praying together while awaiting word of Green's condition.
Macomb County Congresswoman Candice Miller witnessed the tragedy.
"It was very quiet, very somber, very respectful toward what had happened," Miller told WWJ Newsradio 950. "The base officials handled it extremely appropriately. The medical team was on site immediately."
Carroll explained organizers' decision was made to finish the show.
"We didn't want our spectators to leave the show with such a tragedy at the forefront of their minds," said Carroll. "We also didn't want there to just be a show stopped and maybe a panic and have people run to the gates," she said.
While the winds were strong on Sunday, officials said Green performed the stunt flawlessly on the day before in similar weather conditions. Selfridge, the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.
Green, a Michigan native, who had been performing aerial stunts for more than 25 years. His dad — also an aerial stuntman — was Eddie "The Grip" Green, who is in the aerial hall of fame.
Green had more than 25 years of aerial acrobatics experience. He leaves behind his wife, Dawn; his son, Tyler; and a stepson, Derek.
