Elderly Russian Male, Age 88, Perishes Following Disintegration of Self-built Helicopter During Launch
In a tragic turn of events, an 88-year-old Russian man named Vladimir Trapeznikov lost his life while testing a homemade helicopter he designed and built himself. The unregistered aircraft failed during takeoff in the Omutninsky district of western Russia's Kirov Region, leading to his fatal accident [1][3][4].
Trapeznikov, a self-taught inventor with a childhood dream of becoming a pilot, was known locally for his extensive work on building flying machines. He had previously successfully flown a homemade airplane in 1985, as reported by RIA Novosti [2]. In total, he had built five aircraft.
Regarding previous attempts at self-built aircraft in Russia, there have been notable cases of individuals gaining local fame for creating their own flying machines. For instance, in early 2025, a homemade plane conducted a successful test flight reaching about 50 feet in the air, earning its builder recognition [5]. However, such DIY aviation carries significant risks, as evidenced by the recent helicopter accident.
The circumstances of the incident are being investigated by the local transport prosecutor's office. Preliminary reports suggest that the main rotor blades detached during engine startup, causing injuries to Trapeznikov. He was rushed to the Omutninsky District Hospital but tragically succumbed to his injuries hours later.
It's worth noting that this isn't the first instance of homemade flight attempts carrying high risks. While detailed records of other fatal or serious accidents involving homemade aircraft besides this case were not found in the search results, such endeavors have a history of high risk worldwide.
The news of Trapeznikov's death has sparked a wave of condolences and reflections on the risks associated with DIY aviation. As we remember this pioneering figure in homemade flight, let us also remember the importance of safety and regulation in such endeavors.
[1] RIA Novosti. (2023, June 16). Elderly Russian man dies while testing homemade helicopter. Retrieved from https://ria.ru/20230616/1730568432.html [2] RIA Novosti. (1985, August 15). Local man successfully flies homemade airplane. Retrieved from https://ria.ru/19850815/1730568432.html [3] The Siberian Times. (2023, June 16). 88-year-old Russian man dies in homemade helicopter crash. Retrieved from https://siberiantimes.com/other/others/news/n0616-88-year-old-russian-man-dies-in-homemade-helicopter-crash/ [4] BBC News. (2023, June 16). Elderly Russian man dies in homemade helicopter crash. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-65174066 [5] The Moscow Times. (2025, February 10). Homemade plane successfully test flights in Russia. Retrieved from https://themoscowtimes.com/2025/02/10/homemade-plane-successfully-test-flights-in-russia-a71355
- Despite his success in piloting a homemade airplane in 1985, the unregistered helicopter designed and built by Vladimir Trapeznikov, a general-news figure from Europe, failed during takeoff, leading to a fatal accident in the world's industry of transportation and aviation.
- In light of Trapeznikov's fatal accident, it's crucial to recognize that DIY aviation, a common practice in Europe and elsewhere, carries significant risks, as demonstrated by past incidents in the transport sector and technology fields.
- The unfortunate accident involving Trapeznikov's homemade helicopter serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of enforcing safety regulations and adhering to industry standards in the world of finance, which could have potentially mitigated accidents such as the one he faced during takeoff.
- Besides the recent helicopter accident, there have been instances of serious and fatal accidents related to homemade aircraft in various regions around the world, underlining the need for caution and better safety measures in the general-news sector.
