According to Russian media reports on August 2nd， an 88-year-old retiree in the Kirov region of Russia tragically lost his life while testing his homemade helicopter.
Video footage shows the elderly man seated in the aircraft preparing for takeoff. Suddenly， the vehicle disintegrated， and he was ejected several meters away.
Reports indicate that the aircraft experienced a structural failure during takeoff， with a detached rotor blade striking and penetrating the man’s head. Despite being rushed to the hospital， he succumbed to his injuries.
Further reports identify the man as Lapnikov， a designer from the Omutninsky district of the Kirov region. Born in 1937， his primary profession was as a driver for a logging company， and he was a self-taught inventor with a lifelong dream of becoming a pilot.
In his leisure time， he dedicated himself to aircraft manufacturing. He had successfully flown self-made aircraft previously and had constructed a total of five planes， even being featured in a short film in 1985 for his work.
While the pursuit of building and flying aircraft is undoubtedly a fascinating and rewarding endeavor， it is also inherently dangerous. However， for Mr. Lapnikov， to have passed away at the age of 88 while engaged in the passion that defined his life could be seen， in a somber way， as a life fulfilled by his greatest dream. May he rest in peace.
