Spin Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 Just seen on the news about a Cirrus that was forced to ditch off Hamilton Island, QLD yesterday. The pilot apparently forced to break out through rear window after doors jammed. This is probably a timely reminder to consider opening hatches and jamming something into the opening before impact, whether over water or land.
mates rates Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 he pulled the chute at low altitude resulting in the aircraft flipping over so he had little choice but to break the windscreen to get out,very lucky.
mates rates Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 The Cirrus is marketed as an alternative to a twin engine.So it has several safety features including the parachute to make it more marketable as an alternative.
Guest Qwerty Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 Post withdrawn by Qwerty because he was wrong. Just goes to show the power of urban myth.
djpacro Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 Info on the limited spin testing of the Cirrus is here. The incipient spin and recovery characteristics were examined during more than 60 total spin entries .... The aircraft recovered within one turn in all cases examined .... No spin matrix less than that prescribed in AC23-8A or AC23-15, can determine that all configurations are recoverable. It must be assumed that the SR20 has some unrecoverable characteristics.... There's more info on the rationale for the chute as a spin recovery method in that report.Interesting video re-creation of a Cirrus stall accident here.
Spin Posted December 28, 2009 Author Posted December 28, 2009 I'm inclined to think that ditching under a chute would be a better option with fixed gear, you're more likely to remain upright. May not have happened this time around, but I reckon the odds are better in general. As far as the wider chute debate goes, I'd see it as one more option to save yourself if the soft stuff goes through the prop. Certainly there are situations where 20/20 hindsight shows that it may not have been the best option, but there are plenty of others where it could save you when nothing else would eg. structural failure after a collision.
Mick Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 Anyone know the aircraft rego or where is was based?
Spin Posted December 28, 2009 Author Posted December 28, 2009 Archerfield as far as I can make out, sounds like the aircraft belonged to the local agent. Pilot escapes sinking plane | Mackay News | Local News in Mackay | Mackay Daily Mercury
Mick Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 Just found this............. Joy flight aborted | Townsville Bulletin News Note the description as a recreational aircraft in the second paragraph.... "The pilot had just taken off from the Hamilton Island airport in his Cirrus SR22 recreational aircraft when he experienced difficulties and tried to turn back."
octave Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 "He said the man had deployed the plane's parachute, which helps to hold the aircraft under its canopy for a safe landing. " Much amused by this newspaper quote. Glad the pilot is oK
Yenn Posted December 29, 2009 Posted December 29, 2009 I'm inclined to think that ditching under a chute would be a better option with fixed gear, This has been disproved, there was a case recently where a chute landed a plane in a lake and the pilot survived, but with back injuries, because the wheels took none of the descent force and the whole plane stopped dead when it hit the water. The chute was deployed because the pilot thought he was having a heart attack or some similar medical problem.
Ewen McPhee Posted December 29, 2009 Posted December 29, 2009 Steve Maltby is the Local Director Cirrus Australia. He strikes me as a very competent Pilot and would be very familiar with the AC and its capabilities. He was doing Demos with a Turbo SR22 in Emerald late this year.
dunlopdangler Posted December 30, 2009 Posted December 30, 2009 Yep, shame about the plane, but if I was in an aircraft over water and experienced an engine failure as steve did, I would have done exactly what he did. (hell of a ride from 600ft though)The chute would have guaranteed that the initial impact with the water did not have the aircraft flipping over. Damn handy having that emergency hammer close by to break out through an emergency exit. Waiting for the cabin to fill up with water to equalise pressure to open doors is for the action heroes in the movies...and yes the cirrus sr22 can be included as a recreational aircraft as I have lots of fun flying them as well
Sky Gazer Posted December 31, 2009 Posted December 31, 2009 The 'chute' doesn't do it for me.If the Cirrus is such a good design then it doesn't need it...If the pilot is 'not up to the task'....what is he doing here?? Hmmmm I'd have to disagree with you on that one.... It doesn't mater how good a pilot you are, if you have an air frame failure or loose control surfaces there is only one path you'll be taking -unless you or the plane has a chute :thumb_up: peter
dazza 38 Posted December 31, 2009 Posted December 31, 2009 Hi all, i read somewhere that there is a certain height(cant remember what it is), and below that height it is not recommended to deploy the chute.on the cirrus a/c. Anyone know?
dunlopdangler Posted December 31, 2009 Posted December 31, 2009 By the book it is 2,000ft to maximise full deployment and chute efficiency....but if you are not that high and your options are limited so be it just pull the handle and try to have happy thoughts (oh well back to the party...Happy new year to all:rilla:
GraemeK Posted January 1, 2010 Posted January 1, 2010 Anyone know the aircraft rego or where is was based? Believe it was VH-SLS, the same plane featured in the latest issue of "Australian Flying"
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