Pilots have license revoked after failed death-defying stunt trying to swap planes

Two pilots in the US had their licenses revoked after they attempted a 'reckless' stunt for which they didn't get clearance.

Lead pilot Luke Aikins and his cousin Andy Farrington, also a pilot, wanted to try and challenge themselves by doing the dangerous stunt which consisted of a plane swap.

But this wasn't a case of just walking from one plane to another. The stunt was actually done in mid-air.

Aikins put in a request to be exempt from Federal Aviation Administration rules to be able to do it, because the US has a federal law that states planes should be manned at all times.

The pair attempted the stunt in 2022 (Red Bull)

In his request, Aikins claimed it would be in the 'public interest' to try and complete the stunt.

He said he wanted to raise awareness for the science, technology, engineering, and math sectors, as well as encourage people to get into STEM.

The request was denied, with the FAA saying it 'would not be in the public interest and cannot find that the proposed operation would not adversely affect safety,' according to ABC News.

The pair did the stunt without permission (Red Bull)

But two days later, the pair went ahead and did it anyway.

In the footage from their live stream - yes, they live streamed it - they can be heard discussing their swap.

"Let me know when you really ready. You ready?" asks one of them to which the other responds: "Oh yeah!"

Both planes dive before footage cuts to one of them clambering in the wind to get into the other plane.

As you've probably guessed, the stunt failed, causing one of the single-engine planes to crash.

Luckily, no one was hurt.

They have had their licenses revoked by the FAA (Red Bull)

The FAA called the failed stunt 'careless or reckless so as to endanger the life or property of another'.

People took to the Reddit thread in which the clip was posted and shared their thoughts.

One person said: "I'm completely amazed by this. Absolutely incredible. Stupid, incredibly stupid. But incredible none the less."

Another penned: "That looks like the most moronic thing anyone can think up to do."

"What a pointless and dumb thing to attempt," a third said.

In a statement, Red Bull, which was linked to the stunt, said: "This is a matter between the Federal Aviation Administration and the two pilots.

"Luke and Andy are courageous, highly skilled athletes who have been friends of Red Bull for many years and we look forward to their continued friendship."

Aikins said in a statement after the incident he would cooperate with the agency's investigation and acknowledged his part in the failed stunt.

He wrote: "As project lead and chief pilot, it was entirely my responsibility to operate within the regulatory framework to ensure a successful outcome."