# Pilot eaten by alligator **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 7, 2017, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilot-eaten-by-alligator/790713 "2017-07-07T18:58:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2017, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilot-eaten-by-alligator/790713/1 "2017-07-07T18:58:26Z")
[News chopper spots alligator eating body of plane crash victim](http://nypost.com/2017/07/06/news-chopper-spots-alligator-eating-body-of-plane-crash-victim/) [The victim is blurred out on the video.] The student pilot, who apparently violated the FBO’s ‘night’ rules, was the only occupant. interestingly, the same 1978 Cessna 152 [made a forced landing](https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=182058) in December, 2015. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2017, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilot-eaten-by-alligator/790713/2 "2017-07-07T19:07:42Z")
So who says the in-flight meal is always terrible? The gator quite enjoyed the legsana. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2017, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilot-eaten-by-alligator/790713/3 "2017-07-07T19:38:02Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > The gator quite enjoyed the legsana. Actually, I think it was Nigerian cuisine. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2017, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilot-eaten-by-alligator/790713/4 "2017-07-07T19:48:28Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Actually, I think it was Nigerian cuisine. I hope it wasn’t the Prince. He owes me money. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2017, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilot-eaten-by-alligator/790713/5 "2017-07-07T21:33:59Z")
One man’s plane crash feeds an entire swamp. A good reminder of the hierarchy of predators and scavengers. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2017, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilot-eaten-by-alligator/790713/6 "2017-07-08T07:24:28Z")
My phone is too slow here so I can’t follow the link. Anything say how the alligator was able to pull it off? I can’t even get pizza delivered here. . . ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2017, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilot-eaten-by-alligator/790713/7 "2017-07-08T09:07:07Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > My phone is too slow here so I can’t follow the link. Anything say how the alligator was able to pull it off? I can’t even get pizza delivered here. . . 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2017, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilot-eaten-by-alligator/790713/8 "2017-07-08T15:22:11Z")
The FBO owner thinks the pilot, Mark Ukaere, suffered spatial disorientation. [[Link](http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/07/07/florida-pilot-who-crashed-plane-in-everglades-went-on-unauthorized-solo-flight.html)] > [@](#): > > “It’s completely pitch dark there. You really don’t know if you are right-side up or upside down,” Dean said. “The plane just spirals down and crashes straight in.” I am not an accident investigator, but [this photo](https://pbs.twimg.com/card_img/883196063657541633/K-H8IiSv?format=jpg&name=600x314) would contain clues if I was one. For example, I don’t see any disturbance of the ground, that would point to forward motion. Of course it’s a swamp. But I’d expect to see _something_. The empennage is broken off to the left, and much of the debris is to the right, suggesting the aircraft was turning to the left on impact. The cockpit and forward are completely smashed, suggesting a steep nose-down angle when it hit. Again, IANAAI; but to my untrained eye, it _looks_ like he augured in – which I think would be the outcome if Mr. Dean is correct. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2017, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilot-eaten-by-alligator/790713/9 "2017-07-08T15:40:29Z")
[Samuel L. Jackson] I have had it with these mothereffing alligators on this mothereffing plane!!! [/Samuel L. Jackson] ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2017, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilot-eaten-by-alligator/790713/10 "2017-07-08T15:55:14Z")
Once a body his dead, how is it relevant (much less, newsworthy) what species of scavengers eat the remains? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2017, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilot-eaten-by-alligator/790713/11 "2017-07-08T16:01:25Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > I hope it wasn’t the Prince. He owes me money. Get in line, bub!! ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2017, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilot-eaten-by-alligator/790713/12 "2017-07-08T16:06:59Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > Once a body his dead, how is it relevant (much less, newsworthy) what species of scavengers eat the remains? The potential for dark humor. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2017, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilot-eaten-by-alligator/790713/13 "2017-07-08T16:08:31Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > Once a body his dead, how is it relevant (much less, newsworthy) what species of scavengers eat the remains? ♬ _You’re flying across the ocean when you hear your engine spit You see your prop come to a stop, the God-damned engine’s quit The ship won’t float, you cannot swim, the shore is miles behind You’ll be a dish for happy fish but you will never mind You’ll never mind, You’ll never mind…_ ♬ ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2017, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilot-eaten-by-alligator/790713/14 "2017-07-08T16:13:33Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > The potential for dark humor. Dead people should be eaten by worms, like God intended! ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2017, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilot-eaten-by-alligator/790713/15 "2017-07-08T20:38:18Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > My phone is too slow here so I can’t follow the link. Anything say how the alligator was able to pull it off? I can’t even get pizza delivered here. . . > [@](#): > > The FAA said the pilot was the only person on board. Are they _sure_ the alligator didn’t order appetizers to go with his meal? ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2017, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilot-eaten-by-alligator/790713/16 "2017-07-09T03:14:05Z")
What that alligator was doing in my plane, I’ll never know! ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2017, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilot-eaten-by-alligator/790713/17 "2017-07-09T03:27:21Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Dead people should be eaten by worms, like God intended! Buzzards got to eat same as worms… Dennis ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2017, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilot-eaten-by-alligator/790713/18 "2017-07-09T03:38:05Z")
I’m reminded of the concluding couplet in one of Ogden Nash’s poems about the zoologist and literary perfectionist Professor Twist being informed that his wife had just been eaten by an alligator: Professor Twist could not but smile. “You mean, he said, a _ **crocodile** _!” ---
**Author:** ![Trancephalic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trancephalic/32/380_2.png) [@Trancephalic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trancephalic)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2017, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilot-eaten-by-alligator/790713/19 "2017-07-09T05:48:43Z")
See ya later, navigator. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilot-eaten-by-alligator/790713/20 "2017-07-10T03:00:55Z")
I’ve heard of [crunchy frog](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy6uLfermPU&t=36) before, but never [crunchy human](http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/teen-bit-head-bear-wakes-crunching-sound-48534802) before. > [@AP](#): > > “The crunching noise, I guess, was the teeth scraping against the skull as it dug in,” said the teen :eek: [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilot-eaten-by-alligator/790713.md?page=2)