This seems to be a trend nowadays in my personal opinion... there are proper ways of getting clearance to do such things. And then again I feel like this is extremely dangerous to do and shouldn't be done. Now for the DEETS In a shocking turn of events, popular YouTuber Alex Choi, known for his automotive stunts and car modifications, has been charged with federal offenses related to a daring stunt involving a helicopter and fireworks. The stunt, which took place in June 2023, featured two women in a helicopter shooting fireworks at a Lamborghini on the ground. The incident has sparked a significant controversy and legal repercussions for Choi. The charges stem from a video Choi posted around July 4, 2023, titled "Destroying a Lamborghini With Fireworks." Federal authorities have accused Choi of not obtaining the required approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to film the video and not having an explosives license or permit from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
The nearly 11-minute video shows Choi pressing a "fire missiles" button, and the two women in the helicopter shooting fireworks toward the luxury sports vehicle in the desert of San Bernardino County. The video transitions to a behind-the-scenes look at how Choi shot the first third of the video, indicating his involvement in the planning and execution of the stunt. In December, an inspector with the FAA notified the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Transportation that Choi's video was being investigated. Choi had previously mentioned his idea in an email, stating that he wanted to make a short video of an "attack helicopter shooting missiles (mortar style fireworks) at the car, while the car is trying to run away and dodge the missiles using flares (roman candle fireworks attached to the back of the car)." Federal authorities have also revealed that radar data from the day of the video shoot showed that the helicopter left an airport in Pacoima, California, around 1:53 p.m. and turned toward El Mirage Lake, a dry lake in California, where the video was filmed. The helicopter reappeared on the radar and flew back to the airport just before 9 p.m. The FAA also interviewed a drone operator who stated he had concerns about the video shoot and "tried to stay away and behind the helicopter" during filming. The FAA later revoked the helicopter pilot's license for operating the aircraft so close to people, failing to display the vehicle's "N" number, and allowing the fireworks to be launched at the moving vehicle below. Choi, whose real name is Suk Min Choi, was charged on Tuesday with causing the placement of an explosive or incendiary device on an aircraft. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in federal prison. The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The incident has raised questions about the safety and legality of such stunts, especially when involving explosives and aircraft. The charges against Choi serve as a reminder of the legal consequences that can follow when safety regulations are ignored in pursuit of creating viral content.
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