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Nice rescue... Semper Paratus!
I heard this play out over Miami center and Gaurd 121.5 on my way to MYEH
Interesting, Jason. Can you shed any additional light on how it went down? Folks on the COPA forum went looking for ATC recordings but didn't find the right sector.
why would anyone ever want to fly over water and high terrain in a single engine plane
I see your point, but I would have to answer it by saying, because they had an airframe chute...and a raft on board. I bet its a puckering experience to have that rocket motor rip that chute out from right behind you.
I know your right. Got to have faith in that thing to deploy instead of driving it on. No doubt that if the chute deploys properly the landing will be much gentler though. If it tangles or streams then look out below!
I have read in the maintenance manual and the POH that the aircraft must be in a very specific configuration before the chute is deployed. From what I have heard, the impact can still be pretty rough. The seats in this bird are engineered with "crumple zones" to help with force on the spine. I would think, in order to deploy this system properly, you have to be one cool cat, and really rely on training that you hope you will never have to use. I'm glad to see, that it seems, these folks are okay. Now...what caused that engine trouble...?
Despite what is in the POH or other Cirrus publications, actual experience varies widely. Certification tests at the maximum demonstrated airspeed of 133 KIAS determined that the loss of altitude was 920 feet from a 1-1/2 turn spin or 400 feet from level flight. Actual experience shows that the system worked at airspeeds from 34 to 187 KIAS, loss of altitude was 200 to 894 feet, and aircraft attitude include inverted, spins, spiral dives and about 90 degree banks. The rocket extracts the parachute and stretches the risers to full length in just a couple of seconds. Pretty amazing design that has worked in a variety of actual conditions. 100% of the deployments within design parameters were survivable.
Huh...right on boss, if you say so...
