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:
More News
Light Gun A handheld directional light signaling device which emits a brilliant narrow beam of white, green, or red light as selected by the tower controller. The color and type of>[...]
“We have performed extensive ground testing by comparing warm up times, full power tethered pulls, and overall temperatures in 100 degree environments against other aircraft >[...]
While Taxiing To Parking The Right Landing Gear Leg Collapsed, Resulting In Substantial Damage Analysis: The pilot made a normal approach with full flaps and landed on the runway. >[...]
From 2014 (YouTube Edition): Exotic Rebuild Reveals Aerial Work Of Art During EAA AirVenture 2014, ANN's Michael Maya Charles took the time to get a history lesson about a great ai>[...]
Also: Project Talon, McFarlane Acquisition, Sky-Tec Service, JPL Earth Helo Tests Bombardier has earned a round of applause from the business aviation community, celebrating the fo>[...]
ANN's Daily Aero-Term (12.13.25): Light Gun
See All