Plane makes emergency parachute landing in Pacific Ocean

[Hassin Bin Sober]

Apparently, he wasn't out of fuel but had a fuel line problem. Edit to add: maybe he ran out of fuel. I've read to different accounts.

It appears he had an extra "ferry" tank that wouldn't deliver fuel to the engine.

I've never flown a Cirrus. I always thought the parachute was a great idea. This is the perfect scenario. My late "flew everything with wings" father in law thought the chutes were silly.

Published on Jan 26, 2015The pilot of a single-engine airplane safely ditched off the island of Hawaii on Sunday (January 25) after realizing he was running out of fuel.

The unidentified pilot of the Cirrus SR-22 put out a distress call in the afternoon to the Hawaii National Guard, who then helped guide him as he attempted to successfully land in the Pacific Ocean.

Aerial surveillance video released by the U.S. Coast Guard shows the pilot deploying the airframe parachute system, which is used by smaller aircraft. After splashing into the ocean, he escapes the plane and then climbs into a life raft.

https://m.

[petronius]

1. Wow! Looks like a frightening ride, but better than the alternative

The parachute does seem like a really good idea for a plane that size...

[Suich]

2. I had no idea any planes were equipped with parachutes!

Glad he's safe!

[Hassin Bin Sober]

3. They have been around for small craft for a while now.

The parachutes are standard equipment in the Cirrus.

Ballistic Recovery Systems


http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballistic_Recovery_Systems
BRS was founded in 1980 and introduced its first parachute model two years later in 1982, with the focus on the ultralight aircraft market. The company recorded its first successful aircraft and crew recovery in 1983: Jay Tipton of Colorado.[1]

In 1998 the company collaborated with Cirrus Design to develop the first recovery parachute system to be used on a type certified aircraft, the Cirrus SR20. They named the design the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS). In 2002 BRS received a supplemental type certificate to install their parachute system in the Cessna 172, followed by the Cessna 182 in 2004 and the Symphony SA-160 in 2006.[1]

In response to the 2008 economic crisis and associated falling orders, the company announced in November 2008 that it would lay-off 25% of its workforce for an indefinite time period.[3]

[brooklynite]

4. Guessing his insurance company won't be buying him a plane one model year newer...

[NightWatcher]

5. That was smoother than whipped owl shit

Chutes should be mandatory. Most people I know who have experience in small planes have had at least a scare or four where they would've loved a chute...just in case.