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What's the risk to the people below? I'm reminded of a 2011 airshow crash of a Red Arrows T1 jet which, at least according to this account, [0] may have involv
by MaxBarraclough 5y ago
What's the risk to the people below?
I'm reminded of a 2011 airshow crash of a Red Arrows T1 jet which, at least according to this account, [0] may have involved the pilot heroically making the decision not to personally eject, but to crash the aircraft away from crowded areas, perishing as a result. Of course, the aircraft itself had no parachute, unlike a Cirrus. (Also, I'm uncertain if that account of the incident is consistent with later investigation. The relevant quote is not from any investigation, but from a politician.)
[0] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-14838982 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-14838982
- cameldrv 5y agoThere’s a huge difference in the danger to those on the ground between an 15000 lb fighter jet going hundreds of mph and a small 3000 lb airplane descending at about 15 mph (plus the wind speed). It’s possible that the Cirrus could hurt or kill someone but I don’t think it’s happened in the about 100 parachute activations so far.
- MaxBarraclough 5y ago> There’s a huge difference Of course there is, that's the reason I emphasised it. > I don’t think it’s happened in the about 100 parachute activations so far That's good, although there could be a selection effect there: pilots might be more hesitant to deploy it if they think the falling aircraft could do harm.
- EricE 5y ago>What's the risk to the people below? A lot less than from a plane traveling at terminal velocity!
- agloeregrets 5y agoI mean, would you rather the plane crash at 30mph at a chosen point or at 200mph wherever it leads?
- sokoloff 5y agoOnce you’re under chute, the airplane is picking the arrival spot.
- agloeregrets 5y agoYes, but you get to choose when you pull the chute, whereas if you lose say, your elevator control, You don't get any choices here.