Sun, Apr 11, 2004
It's hard to believe (in
light of recent events)... but a Cirrus SR 22 experiencing
"mechanical difficulties" deployed a BRS Emergency parachute
recovery system in southern Florida at 1000 Saturday morning.
Sources in the Cirrus community indicate that the aircraft
experienced "multiple" instrument failure after recent
maintenance.
This is a scant 36 hours after another BRS CAPS (Cirrus
Airframe Parachute System) system saved four lives in mountainous
terrain in central Canada.
The aircraft was occupied by a single pilot, Jeffrey Ippoliti
(41), of Celebration FL. Ippoliti is described as a high-time
Cirrus pilot, and a founding member of the highly regarded Cirrus
Owner's and Pilot's Association (COPA), with a "lot" of
experience. His destination was Palm Beach International
Airport.
The SR22 departed Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport and
experienced unspecified mechanical difficulties shortly into the
flight. Conditions were described as IFR, with a broken 400 foot
deck and limited visibility below. Tops were only 1000 feet or so,
according to pilots flying through the area at the same time. The
aircraft deployed the chute after the pilot elected to fire it
off, about six miles north of the airport, and reportedly
below 1000 feet -- one heck of a scary scenario. The aircraft is
down in brush and suffered "moderate to minor" damage, descending
over and landing in a field at Hampton Pines Park.
More importantly, Mr. Ippoliti lives to fly another day.
This data remains VERY sketchy. Check back with us throughout
the day, as we will present more info as soon as we get it. This is
the SECOND BRS emergency deployment for Cirrus Design in 36 hours
and only the third in the history of the series.
- In October of 2002, SR22 pilot Lionel Morrison used a BRS
recovery chute to save his life after a maintenance error disabled
his aircraft North of Dallas Texas.
- On Thursday, Albert Kolk deployed the same type of system over
"severe and mountainous" terrain in Alberta, Canada.
In 2002, ANN did an extraordinary two part interview with SR22
pilot, Lionel Morrison, the first pilot to fire off a BRS CAPS
parachute recovery system in emergency circumstances. The links to
that amazing story are included below:
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