Cirrus down via CAPS in Houston cul-de-sac

[cnoe]

Eating lunch watching the local news and they show a Cirrus down with CAPS deployed in a local residential neighborhood.

 

Interesting. Didn't look too bad; hopefully all are uninjured.

 

Cnoe

[cnoe]

Looks like a 2007 SR22 registered to a local LLC.

 

N422PB

 

Two minor injuries reported.

 

 

[kmyfm20s]

Something to be said about the Chute!

[cnoe]

Looks like there were some small open spaces and some busy roads in the area (see attached satellite photos) but in the middle of the metro the chute was likely the best option.

 

From what I've seen lately both Cirrus and the insurance companies are saying "pull early/pull often".

 

 

[N601RX]

From the Flightaware log it looks like he lost the engine only a minute or so at most after takeoff and at a low altitude.

[kmyfm20s]

I wish we could get all the engine monitor reading from all the early takeoff engine failures. I now look at my engine monitor more than for traffic on takeoff.

[Alan Fox]

The C.A.P.S. is the Shiznit!!!!!

[MyNameIsNobody]

Nice missing the light pole and the houses. Glad it worked out for them. I'd of pulled in that urban environment. Good deal.

[ryoder]

Awesome. Would probably be dead in a Mooney.

[Guest]

Awesome. Would probably be dead in a Mooney.

Maybe not. What's the glide ratio of a Mooney with the gear up versus a Cirrus with the gear down?

Once you commit to the CAPS you drift where the wind carries you with no control.

Clarence

[xcrmckenna]

Maybe not. What's the glide ratio of a Mooney with the gear up versus a Cirrus with the gear down?

Once you commit to the CAPS you drift where the wind carries you with no control.

Clarence

Being in a neighborhood it could have easily came down on some power lines...

[Marauder]

Being in a neighborhood it could have easily came down on some power lines...

Is carbon fiber an insulator? In our aluminum cans, I suspect we would be toast.

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[xcrmckenna]

Is carbon fiber an insulator? In our aluminum cans, I suspect we would be toast.

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True, but I bet there is still plenty to conduct power in the cirrus airplane. That is if one line doesn't tear into the cockpit and the next one sits in your lap. But all hypothetical

[Yetti]

Think bird on a wire

[Marauder]

Think bird on a wire

That is what I was thinking. As long as ground contact isn't there, I'm sure no one would be calling you "Sparky".

BTW -- I read somewhere you are 6'9". I now understand the Yetti reference.

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[MB65E]

They are mostly just fiberglass. The spars I think are now carbon. You should see the tail shake on startup. It would be interesting to see why the engine failed or shut down.

-Matt

[Andy95W]

I wonder if it was the guy from the other thread with the high oil consumption. That would be weird... and profound.

[cnoe]

 I'd of pulled in that urban environment.

 

Flying through the Bravo here ATC will keep VFR traffic below 2,000' because of KIAH and KHOU. That altitude doesn't offer much time to pick your landing spot so I often consider where I'd put it down if necessary. Freeways are choked with traffic and other roads are full of power lines. We've got a few big parks and several bayous (man-made rivers) along with a few golf courses and football fields here and there.

 

It must be reassuring to know that all you have to do is pull the "red handle" and settle where you may. Still, I'd hate to end up in front of a truck or in a power line as some have mentioned. But once I'm out of the metro area the chute seems a bit unnecessary.

[ryoder]

The low altitude and high density is one reason I prefer to avoid bravo. Flying over Tampa strip clubs at 2k feet sounds like fun until you need to get down fast.

[MyNameIsNobody]

Did you mean "go down"?....

[peevee]

The low altitude and high density is one reason I prefer to avoid bravo. Flying over Tampa strip clubs at 2k feet sounds like fun until you need to get down fast.

I'm the opposite, I want to be in that bravo around here because it's a busy VFR corridor and I want the radar service.

[ryoder]

Fly along the coast at 6000 feet on flight following. Just don't fly at 2k over the hood.

[peevee]

Fly along the coast at 6000 feet on flight following. Just don't fly at 2k over the hood.

I want radar separation service, not just traffic advisories around here. Too many planes.

[ryoder]

Peevee where do you hangar? I'm at ZPH.

[peevee]

Almost the other side of the country.