[DeTomaso] Evidence of helmet chin-strap failure at PonyExpressaccident - Helmet chin-strap design

Fri Aug 31 17:17:36 EDT 2007

Well said Chuck....will glad share knots and scars with you any day! ;-]>
  I also totally agreee with your recommendations on safety gear...and use them ALL. 

  Far as what happened to the guys at the Pony ORR last weekend its not totally clear what the extent of the cut and/or broken chin-strap failure...I've talked to half a dozen people and there are at least that many stories if not more about what happened. I'd agree with you, Michael and others who suggested at least in one of the guys cases he 'may' not of threaded and secured his chin strap. 
  MD
  Army MACV Advisory Teams 86 & 99 (LRRP/Ranger/SF), '67-69

Chuck Adkinson <chuck at pantera.ws> wrote:
  The U.S. Army has a great deal of helicopter post-impact information gained
over the past 50 years and the resulting injuries/fatalities to the crew and
pax. 

At this point in time the Army uses the double metal ring/pull through strap
for flight helmets. The Army has determined this arrangement to be the least
likely strap to fail in a high G impact. It is important for the crewmember
to secure it properly and cinch it up tight. Some years ago a double snap
device was employed and just like on Sunday afternoons in the fall, helmets
were coming off easily during crash/rollover sequences. They were easy to
secure though.

Somehow or another I've survived 40 of those 50 years flying Uncle's iron.
The only time I was ever hurt was when I wasn't wearing a helmet at all. I
fell off the top of a Huey(1970) while preparing it for flight. That
freakin' hurt after I woke up 45 minutes later. I still have a big ol' knot
on the top of my head from that one. 

I've never raced beans but if I were to, I would wear double Nomex(outer
layer loose fitting), the best helmet I could find/visor down, high quality
Nomex gloves and secure myself in the car with at least 5 straps. The NHRA
pro drivers have it down to a science.

Chuck Adkinson
www.pantera.ws
RVN 69-70, Huey
OIF 06-07, C-12

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark McWhinney [mailto:msm at portata.com] 
Sent: Friday, August 31, 2007 2:03 PM
To: 'Mad Dog Antenucci'; detomaso at realbig.com
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Evidence of helmet chin-strap failure at
PonyExpressaccident - Helmet chin-strap design

Did the strap actual break or was it the mount points on the helmet or D
rings, or did the strap just come undone?

The straps on my Bell helmet are Kevlar. I am guessing that the other major
brands use Kevlar or something of equal strength. I cannot believe that the
strap itself would tear in two.

I hate those double D rings. It always seems to take me a while get it
threaded through -- usually while someone is waiting behind me to get on the
track. I bought one of those quick snap clips a while ago, but I am
wondering now if that is a good idea to actually install it.

-----Original Message-----
From: detomaso-bounces at realbig.com [mailto:detomaso-bounces at realbig.com] On
Behalf Of Mad Dog Antenucci
Sent: Friday, August 31, 2007 10:50 AM
To: detomaso at realbig.com
Subject: [DeTomaso] Evidence of helmet chin-strap failure at Pony
Expressaccident - Helmet chin-strap design

There now appears to be evidence that the helmet chin-strap 'broke' on the
helmet of the driver sometime during the ensuing roll overs of their cup car
at the Pony.

The navigators helmet which was completely off his head at the accident
scene is another story. He couldn't remember if he pulled his helmet off
'after' the accident but the helmet and Hans strap was not damaged or
broken. 

There was evidence of hard surface wear scrub on both their helmets and
the Hans Devices that both were wearing. Both helmets and Hans devices are
going to Hans for a thorough investigation.

Lots of questions on helmet strap design. I don't like the way the helmet
chin straps are connected with the double o-rings you have to thread....its
easy not to get it right and its always a good idea to have buddies or start
line personnel double check when they are tugging on your harness.....but
the bigger question in my mind is there a better helmet chin strap design
out there? 

Anyone looked at this subject before? 

Mad Dawg Antenucci 
Team Pantera Racing 
The 1st & still the only vintage race team in open road racing 
www.teampanteraracing.com
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Mad Dawg Antenucci 
Team Pantera Racing 
  The 1st & still the only vintage race team in open road racing 
www.teampanteraracing.com