Selfridge Air Show Won't Include Wing Walker Stunt After 2011 Death
HARRISON TWP. (WWJ/AP) - This year's air show at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan won't include a wing walker performance after an experienced stuntman died while doing an aerial stunt during the last show at the base in 2011, an official said.
Technical Sgt. Dan Heaton of the guard's 127th Wing in Harrison Township said base officials decided not to bring back the stunt this year -- and possibly may never host it again.
"For the safety of the public and the base community, the decision has been made to not have a wing walker performance in this year's show," Heaton told The Macomb Daily. "There are enough other performances taking place for everyone's enjoyment."
Todd Green, 48, fell on Aug. 21, 2011, after trying to grab a helicopter's skid from his perch atop a small plane. Scores of bystanders saw the wing walker fall about 150 feet and land about 1,500 feet from the crowd.
Green apparently missed a cue and tried to move before the helicopter was in position, according to a National Transportation Safety Board report. Base officials waited for the results of the report before making their decision, Heaton said.
Green, of Ann Arbor, was an experienced stuntman. His father was prominent aerial stuntman Eddie Green, who was inducted into the International Council of Air Shows Foundation Hall of Fame in 2006.
The 2014 Selfridge Air National Guard Base Open House & Air Show takes place Sept. 6-7. A big attraction will be the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels. The show marks the first time since 2005 that the Blue Angels will perform at the airfield, located about 20 miles northeast of Detroit.
Also, the Selfridge Museum will be open during the open house. It contains 35 full-size aircraft, cockpit simulators and other attractions.
Gates will be open to the public at 8 a.m. daily. Flying performances will begin at 11 a.m. and continue until the F-18 Hornet performance is over, around 4 p.m.
Admission and parking are free. For more information, visit www.selfridgeopenhouse.com.
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