Dad’s harrowing death after being impaled by model plane in freak accident

Roger Wallace, 60, was flying the 5ft-wide model plane at the Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson, Arizona, when the tragedy unfolded

A father of two tragically lost his life in an extraordinary “freak accident” after being struck by his own model aircraft, sustaining fatal injuries.

Roger Wallace, 60, was operating the 5ft-wide model plane at the Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson, Arizona, when disaster struck. He momentarily lost visual contact with it in the bright sunlight, and the aircraft, weighing approximately 3kgs, inflicted severe damage to his heart and one of his lungs.

Roger collapsed and fellow enthusiasts attempted to assist him whilst awaiting emergency services. Sadly, their attempts proved unsuccessful and he was declared dead at the location.

Roger had been an active member of the Southern Arizona Modelers, a radio-controlled aircraft group, for three years. Club President Jerry Knebel told the Arizona Daily Star in 2002: “This was not a common thing. This was just the freakiest of freak accidents that could possibly happen.

“No one can believe this. We can’t believe it ourselves, and we’ve been doing this the past 30 years.”, reports the Mirror.

Roger had previously owned an auto parts business but had sold it some years earlier, and was employed by the new proprietors whilst considering retirement before the devastating incident. Before becoming involved with the aircraft club, Roger had participated in drag racing at the local drag strip – and was seeking a less dangerous pastime.

Knebel reflected on the tragic irony, saying: “He talked so often about how the flying was safer than the drag strip. He came over because he thought our sport was the safer sport.”

The club maintained strict safety protocols, always ensuring one member served as safety officer during flights and adhering to the Academy of Model Aeronautics’ safety guidelines.

Knebel emphasised their track record: “We pride ourselves on not having any accidents at all. We haven’t had one in many, many years.”

Roger’s obituary paid tribute to him: “He was a kind, loving, friendly man and so ful of life and laughter. He will be greatly missed by all his friends and family.”

In a separate incident last September, an aviation influencer tragically lost his life in front of more than 1,000 online viewers when his ultralight aircraft plummeted from the sky and erupted in flames during a livestream.

Tang Feiji was broadcasting when his twin-rotor craft made a sharp turn before nosediving into Jiange County, central China. Horrified viewers frantically filled the chat with urgent messages, desperately urging someone to “call the emergency services” and “save him”.

Tragically, despite the frantic appeals, help arrived too late. Tang, 55, was declared dead at the scene from the impact.

The aviator had built a substantial following in Guangyuan City, Sichuan Province, amassing approximately 100,000 followers on Chinese social media platform Douyin through his regular flying content.