Coast Guard films Cirrus ferry ditch

[webmaster]

A Cirrus SR-22 on a ferry flight ditches off Maui, Coast Guard caught it on film. Pretty interesting to watch. Glad the cruise ship was able to pick him up! I don't know if I would care to ferry a single engine aircraft across the Pacific like that!

http://www.businessinsider.com/pilot-ditching-plane-close-to-hawaii-video-2015-1

 

[picklesuit]

Apparently they need drop tanks in addition to a parachute...

 

[BigBadBoJenkins]

From what I read there were ferry tanks installed on the aircraft that failed to function for the long flight to Hawaii

 

[armada1651]

From what I read there were ferry tanks installed on the aircraft that failed to function for the long flight to Hawaii

Ah...that makes some sense. I was thinking the pilot had to just be a retard, but I don't think professional trans-Pacific ferry pilots typically are. Still, I would think you'd need some way to check to make sure the tanks are working before reaching a point-of-no-return.

There was also another plane - 172, I think - that went down in the drink the same day, but they were just flying between two of the islands, so that guy may have actually just been an idiot. Still, 4 people onboard and all ok, so at least he knew how to ditch.

 

[Gatordev]

There was also another plane - 172, I think - that went down in the drink the same day, but they were just flying between two of the islands, so that guy may have actually just been an idiot. Still, 4 people onboard and all ok, so at least he knew how to ditch.

Keep in mind that pistons aren't nearly as reliable as what we're all used to. He may not have been an idiot, it just may have been a bad day.

 

[webmaster]

One of the blogs I read today mentioned that one of the fuel valves wouldn't crossfeed. IDK. But that would definitely make it a bad day.

 

[Uncle Fester]

I'm curious how many times Cirrus chutes have been deployed for-reals (as opposed to flight tests).

 

[Gatordev]

One of the blogs I read today mentioned that one of the fuel valves wouldn't crossfeed. IDK. But that would definitely make it a bad day.

I meant the -172, but regardless, the fuel valves makes sense.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

I'm curious how many times Cirrus chutes have been deployed for-reals (as opposed to flight tests).

about 6 months ago at work we were talking about this, my coworker found that data but he no longer works with me but I did find this, it is about 5 years old but gives some data.

http://www.flyingmag.com/blogs/going-direct/after-10-years-cirrus-chute-controversy-persists

 

[SynixMan]

That chute sure is worth its weight in gold, eh?

 

[webmaster]

I meant the -172, but regardless, the fuel valves makes sense.

Isn't a Cirrus piston also? Regardless single engine piston over water is not on my bucket list.

 

[wplax26]

Does anyone else find it odd that the aircraft nose dived just from running out of gas? I wonder if that is part of activating the parachute?

 

[Brett327]

If you consider the physics at work, it's kind of a no brainer.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

Talk about a small world, I know the pilot

 

[Gatordev]

Isn't a Cirrus piston also? Regardless single engine piston over water is not on my bucket list.

Yeah, I think our posts are crossing the streams.

There was also another plane - 172, I think - that went down in the drink the same day, but they were just flying between two of the islands, so that guy may have actually just been an idiot. Still, 4 people onboard and all ok, so at least he knew how to ditch.

This is what I originally was referring to...just that you don't have to be an idiot to still have problems, especially with a piston. Basically, we're in violent agreement.

That said, from last weekend while I was flying north just past Fernadina and trying to avoid Cumberland Island:

My wife: "Um, why are we all the way out here?"
Me: "Well, I had to get past that airport and I can't fly over Cumberland Island......"
Me: "And I'm probably more comfortable flying over water than I should be since we're not in a turbine. I'll turn in now."
My wife: "Yeah, that's what I was thinking..."