Surviving a crash in a light aircraft
Discussion
A friend of mine was flying his Cirrus SR22 from Texas to Louisiana last month and the engine failed. As they were over a heavily wooded area there was nowhere to land. He activated the planes built in parachute and they went into the trees and ended up on the forrest floor. Both walked away from the crash without a scratch. The plane was a write off. His insurers paid out and his new Cirrus is arriving in a few weeks. 
Curious about this - if a light aircraft had a safety cell forming the primary structure similar to that of a racing car (i.e a tubular roll structure) with the appropriate seats and harnesses would this improve the chances of surviving a crash?
I'd assume (barring fire or penetration by branches etc) that the occupants are injured or killed when the aeroplane collapses around them because the loads aren't from the intended direction.
It seems to be that light aircraft are the ones most likely to crash because of proximity to the ground, pilot experience etc. so rather than building them "like we've done since 1938" take a lesson from motorsport and make the safefy cell part of the primary structure.
I'd assume (barring fire or penetration by branches etc) that the occupants are injured or killed when the aeroplane collapses around them because the loads aren't from the intended direction.
It seems to be that light aircraft are the ones most likely to crash because of proximity to the ground, pilot experience etc. so rather than building them "like we've done since 1938" take a lesson from motorsport and make the safefy cell part of the primary structure.
Borghetto said:
As they were over a heavily wooded area there was nowhere to land. He activated the planes built in parachute and they went into the trees and ended up on the forrest floor. Both walked away from the crash without a scratch.
Wait.....the what ? I didnt know this was a thing ?Turn7 said:
Borghetto said:
As they were over a heavily wooded area there was nowhere to land. He activated the planes built in parachute and they went into the trees and ended up on the forrest floor. Both walked away from the crash without a scratch.
Wait.....the what ? I didnt know this was a thing ?Article with a bit more on these systems: https://www.airspacemag.com/daily-planet/those-par...
Turn7 said:
Wait.....the what ? I didnt know this was a thing ?
I flew in a Cirrus about 8 years ago from Grand Isle la to Lake Charles la. This was in a company demonstrator. The pilot explained that the original motivation, was when the designer saw a friend fatally crash into a wooded area near his intended airport. It took many years to design a workable parachute solution and even more to gain FAA approval. I believe it is one of the most popular light aircraft on sale in the US. My friends cost him around US$750,000, I should say each one. He is a seasoned pilot of 61 and has held his ppl since his teens.
DavieBNL said:
Article with a bit more on these systems: https://www.airspacemag.com/daily-planet/those-par...
Thanks.DavieBNL said:
Article with a bit more on these systems: https://www.airspacemag.com/daily-planet/those-par...
I've just read the link you provided and maybe the pilot/salesman was spinnning me a line....lolPaul Bertorelli's entertaining and informative look at Ballistic Recovery Systems
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT58pzY41wA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT58pzY41wA
AER said:
Paul Bertorelli's entertaining and informative look at Ballistic Recovery Systems
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT58pzY41wA
Wow, that was really interesting.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT58pzY41wA
100SRV said:
Curious about this - if a light aircraft had a safety cell forming the primary structure similar to that of a racing car (i.e a tubular roll structure) with the appropriate seats and harnesses would this improve the chances of surviving a crash?
I'd assume (barring fire or penetration by branches etc) that the occupants are injured or killed when the aeroplane collapses around them because the loads aren't from the intended direction.
It seems to be that light aircraft are the ones most likely to crash because of proximity to the ground, pilot experience etc. so rather than building them "like we've done since 1938" take a lesson from motorsport and make the safefy cell part of the primary structure.
Maybe the above combined with the parachute system?I'd assume (barring fire or penetration by branches etc) that the occupants are injured or killed when the aeroplane collapses around them because the loads aren't from the intended direction.
It seems to be that light aircraft are the ones most likely to crash because of proximity to the ground, pilot experience etc. so rather than building them "like we've done since 1938" take a lesson from motorsport and make the safefy cell part of the primary structure.
Borghetto said:
AER said:
Paul Bertorelli's entertaining and informative look at Ballistic Recovery Systems
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT58pzY41wA
Wow, that was really interesting.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT58pzY41wA
AER said:
Paul Bertorelli's entertaining and informative look at Ballistic Recovery Systems
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT58pzY41wA
That was a really good watch, nice find!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT58pzY41wA
100SRV said:
Curious about this - if a light aircraft had a safety cell forming the primary structure similar to that of a racing car (i.e a tubular roll structure) with the appropriate seats and harnesses would this improve the chances of surviving a crash?
Yes.If you look at an accident like https://www.gov.uk/aaib-reports/aaib-investigation... you'll see what happens when you do something unpleasant (admittedly fairly gently) with a modern (ish, the CT design is 20 years old now) aircraft.
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