Pilot Warned Lauren Scruggs To Walk Behind The Plane Before Horrifying Accident
Posted on Jan 17, 2012 @ 04:00PM
Curt Richmond, the pilot of the fateful flight in which Lauren Scruggs walked into a live plane propeller, told air officials he raised his arm and loudly warned the 23-year-old model & fashion blogger to step behind the plane before she made impact with it.
“Upon noticing that she was exiting in front of the strut, the pilot leaned out of his seat and placed his right hand and arm in front of her to divert her away from the front of the airplane and the propeller,” according to a report released by the National Transportation Safety Administration. “He continued to keep his arm extended and told the passenger that she should walk behind the airplane.”
Richmond has stayed mum since the horrifying incident, which took place on December 3 at Aero County Airport in McKinney, Texas (about 30 miles away from Dallas) following a flight on an Aviat A1-B in which Scruggs was checking out Christmas lights from overhead.
Richmond said that moments after he told Scruggs to move, he heard someone yelling "Stop!" and saw Scruggs on the ground. He told officials he turned off the engine after that.
PHOTOS: A-Listers Before They Were Stars
As RadarOnline.com previously reported, the model suffered horrendous injuries to her entire left side -- including losing her left hand and eye -- as well as a fractured skull, broken left collarbone and brain injuries. Her family has been updating people on her status on a blog called CaringBridge.org.
To make a donation in Lauren’s name to help with her recovery, go to Caringbridge.org.
Follow RadarOnline.com's Managing Editor David Perel on Twitter at @IMPerel.
RELATED STORIES:
Lauren Scruggs: 'My Heart Is So Grateful Beyond What I Could Ever Imagine'
Lauren Scruggs Mother: ‘I Am Emotionally Drained And Physically Tired’
Lauren Scruggs 'Had A Horrendous Day Of Pain,' Says Mother
Lauren Scruggs Visits Whole Foods In First Trip Out Of Hospital
- Beyonce's Returning To The Stage For The First Time Since Becoming A Mom — Huffington Post
- Sienna Miller & Her Baby Bump Are All Smiles — The Frisky
- Jay-Z To Score New "Annie" Movie Starring Willow Smith — Global Grind
- Simon Cowell Asks 'What Was I Thinking?' After Choosing Britney Spears & Demi Lovato for 'X Factor' — Celebuzz
- Anne Hathaway's Ex Raffaello Follieri Released from Jail — Just Jared
- Age Appropriate? Kylie Minogue, 43, Dons Racy Webbed Dress — Celebuzz
- Click Here & Join Our Facebook Page — Facebook
Sample Header
The Daily Juice
This makes me believe a lawsuit is in the works. I'm sure the pilot was content to not speak about HER role in this crazy accident. I wonder if he was pushed to speak out in the form of threatened litigation.
Posted Wed, 01/18/2012 - 4:07pm
good point bestpolicy...some of these cruel people could loose their eye or hand too or something else...and really who cares if they didnt know about this model before the accident...she is a human being who got mutilated and we feel for her
Posted Wed, 01/18/2012 - 8:01am
it is very tragic, but, she MUST take some responsibility. the public needs2 STOP blaming ONLY the pilot. ODD she lost a hand, eh? Had her hand been @her waist & not, perhaps, holding a phone/talking, she wouldve HEARD the pilot. just saying....
Posted Wed, 01/18/2012 - 3:22pm
I couldn't agree more earlybird. It's horrifying the things some people are saying about this poor young woman who is handling it with such grace and courage.
Posted Wed, 01/18/2012 - 2:35pm
Aviation safety 101: Turn off engine and observe propeller not moving, prior to passengers boarding and getting off.
Posted Wed, 01/18/2012 - 2:03am
What happened is horrible. I pray that she heals quickly. That said, she has a horse face. If she was
from a poor family no way she would have been a model. None.
Posted Wed, 01/18/2012 - 1:56am
your prayer didn't get past the ceiling.
Posted Wed, 01/18/2012 - 11:04am
EVERYONE wants to blame the pilot & I KNEW there was more 2this story not being told. bet she was on the phone, hence, HER HAND was cut off the same side she lost an EYE...bet she was holding a phone to 2face & NOT LISTENING TO THE PILOT!
Posted Tue, 01/17/2012 - 10:20pm
Bet she starts paying MORE attention to her surroundings now and not be so absorbed in her own little world. What a TOUGH way to learn a lesson on listening; by losing a hand and an eye.
Posted Tue, 01/17/2012 - 10:24pm
Stupid girl. She is not even good looking.
Posted Tue, 01/17/2012 - 8:15pm