Ballistics Recovery Parachute Saves Again
Over the weekend Ballistics Recovery Systems announced their parachute system has recorded another save. Kerwin Day, a CFI found himself in severe icing conditions and unable to control his Cirrus SR22. With two other passengers onboard the aircraft stalled as he tried to climb above the area of icing. The parachute system was activated and the Cirrus came to rest in Alabama suspended by trees.
“I pulled the chute and got a sudden jolt against the seatbelt, said Day. ”The nose pitched down and very quickly leveled itself and in less than a minute we were on the ground.“
Ballistic Recovery Systems says their parachutes have been documented in saving 184 lives.
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POSTED IN: Aviation Technology, General Aviation, aviation
4 opinions for Ballistics Recovery Parachute Saves Again
TeamDroid » Ballistics Recovery Parachute
Jan 26, 2006 at 06:08 \25\u\Thursday\u
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Mick
Jan 27, 2006 at 04:58 \26\u\Friday\u
Hey Mr Flight- this one is too good not to comment on.
Let me first say, I wish the Cessna Caravan had this recovery system because, in my opinon- it certainly needs it. ie; icing conditions and the stall.
The Cirrus appears to be a wonderful modern innovation and a - delight to behold airplane, albeit the avionics make a hugh pitch in sales appeal.
The ejection seat has been saving aviators for decades but has done nothing to preserve the aircraft. But being a government expenditure it probably really didn’t matter. Enough said.
If the ballistics recovery system has saved 184 lives, that means if all 4 seats were occupied ( which of course we know they were not ) it has involved 46 aircraft and we know that would be the minimum and in all liklehood a good deal more.
Isn’t that a high loss rate for a relatively new machine ? What percentage of those aircraft survived unscathed ?? Certainly not the one I saw land in the Hudson river ! !
Do we buy an airplane to survive the ride or purchase a good old baby Beech to hav fun ,improve our skills, take little or no major risks and play against the odds ??
I now reflect on the recent loss of two BAC aircraft , one with fatalities and one with serious injuries. Neither had the option of stepping out or pulling the proverbial rip-cord.
If cost were no object, perhaps we would all invest in this great back up invention.
I leave you with kindest regards and best wishes to all grass roots aviators.
Mr. Flight
Jan 27, 2006 at 13:07 \26\u\Friday\u
Mick,
I certainly agree with your comments. The Cirrus certainly has had its share of high profile accidents recently, and I’ve read a few accounts of their higher than normal accident levels.
Michael Adams
Apr 2, 2006 at 23:50 \91\u\Sunday\u
Why was this “CFI” in known icing condiitons in the first place?
Why did he climb?
Please answer this question for me. I have to know. Sounds to me like the flight should have never taken place! Preflight planning is the best recovery system available!
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