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:

• Lionel Morrison Speaks About Historic SR22 CAPS Deployment (Part 1)
• Lionel Morrison Speaks About Historic SR22 CAPS Deployment (Part 2)

FMI: www.cirrusdesign.com, www.brsparachutes.com, www.cirruspilots.org