I'm confused as to what they mean by "not being able to identify the pilot", surely that's the guy whose identity is the easiest to figure out as you can't just take off from a runway without being registered and security cleared etc. Right? Or do they mean that they can't verify that the pilot who took off is the same as the one they found in the wreck?

[–] HK65@sopuli.xyz 24 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

you can’t just take off from a runway without being registered and security cleared etc. Right?

Under European rules, if you are flying domestically under VFR, you don't necessarily need to even file a flight plan. Even if they did, nobody checks who flies the plane if it's not an international big airport. I mean I sure would file either way, especially since that area is dangerous and I want authorities to know where I am if I disappear in the mountains.

For a small grass strip in the middle of Slovenia, you might not even need a radio, but local regulations might beg to differ.

It's possible it's literally as tight and controlled as getting into and driving a car is.

[–] RedSnt@feddit.dk 5 points 3 days ago (1 children)

It’s possible it’s literally as tight and controlled as getting into and driving a car is.

That's wild to me. I thought there were some international security standards for airports that at the very least logged all pilots taking off. Thanks for the explanation.

[–] HK65@sopuli.xyz 6 points 3 days ago

At any airport you have probably been to, there is. But a lot of things are on the honor system, which works for pilots because if they catch you lying, they basically reset your career.

[–] vodka@lemm.ee 22 points 3 days ago (2 children)

I'm assuming that the rescue team couldn't identify the person due to damages to the body.

Meaning the identity had to be confirmed later by someone else (a coroner, probably)

[–] RedSnt@feddit.dk 2 points 3 days ago

Meaning the identity had to be confirmed later by someone else (a coroner, probably)

I guess it makes sense, when you're at the front you probably get squished more by the rest of the plane in a nose-first crash.