ANN Realtime
Update 2006 EST, 06.30.05: With only the sketchiest of
details currently available, ANN has learned that a Cirrus SR22 has
apparently used the CAPS, (Cirrus Airframe Parachute System) to
affect an emergency recovery. Reportedly occupied by a single
pilot, N3452L went down in an inlet near the Bowline Point Park,
near Haverstraw, NY, this (Thursday) afternoon. The airplane is now
reported sunk.
Some sources indicate that the pilot parachuted out, based on a
misunderstanding by a fire and rescue officer. Some
local media have not exactly covered themselves in glory on
this one: a New York city TV station breathlessly reported that the
Cirrus, one of some two thousand factory-built and fully certified
by Cirrus Design Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota, was a 'kit
plane.'
The accident occurred at approximately 1641 when the SR22 was
apparently lost off radar about 10 miles from the Westchester
County Airport.
The pilot's condition is said to be good and that he suffered no
impact related injuries. There was a mayday call (at 1640) prior to
the accident, according to the FAA's Arlene Salac. Current media
reports suggest the possibility of a medical incapacitation (pilot
reporting pain in his legs), but this is a general media report and
the accuracy is, of course, suspect until someone with some bona
fides speaks up.
One report, credited to Rockland County executive's office
spokeswoman C.J. Miller, claims that the pilot "bailed out
because he had pain in his legs and couldn't pull the plane out of
a dive..."
Another, more recent, report (from the Journal News) claims that
the aircraft was brought down by engine failure.
Obviously, we're hoping for more specific
info...
Sources within the Cirrus Pilot community have tentatively
identified the pilot as Ilan Reich. If correct, the PIC is a highly
qualified aviator with over 1000 hours in type. We've also
confirmed that the aircraft is fresh out of a maintenance visit...
further adding some mystery (and confusion) to the fast and furious
details we are gathering about this event.
N3452L is registered to the 5 2 Lima Corporation of NYC, NY. It
is a 2003 SR22 put on the federal registry on June 12th of that
year.
The Cirrus Airframe Parachute System, which is one part of a
comprehensive and novel approach to safety, has saved eight lives
before.
The system was designed in cooperation with, and is manufactured
by, BRS, whose ballistic chutes have saved about two hundred pilots
and passengers. At this time, only Cirrus offers the chute,
although Symphony has announced plans to do so, optionally. Similar
systems are available on the aftermarket, STC'd for Cessna 150 and
172 aircraft, and one is in development for the heavier, faster
182, even though Cessna has disparaged the system and does not
appear to have given serious consideration to making it an OEM
option.
ANN will have more info on this story as soon as we have it
verified.