Spectacular rescue video of single engine airplane's pilot 250 miles east of Maui
#1
Decrepit Member
Thread Starter
Spectacular rescue video of single engine airplane's pilot 250 miles east of Maui
This video was shot from a Coast Guard helicopter of a Cirrus SR-22 single engine airplane with an airframe parachute ditching in the Pacific after running out of fuel. The pilot was ferrying the airplane on the first leg of his flight from California to Australia. It happened this morning, January 26, 2015.
Video: Cirrus SR22 Chute Deployment in Pacific
Video: Cirrus SR22 Chute Deployment in Pacific
#2
always rides with luggage
Man, that thing sank fast.
Also... 14 hours from Tracy... yikes. The headwinds must have been worse than forecast or something, people don't normally do ferry flights willy-nilly.
Also... 14 hours from Tracy... yikes. The headwinds must have been worse than forecast or something, people don't normally do ferry flights willy-nilly.
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--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
#3
Decrepit Member
Thread Starter
Typically, the planning for a long overwater ferry flight, especially in a single engine airplane, is exhaustive. They know the hourly fuel consumption at different altitudes, the cruise speed at different altitudes and power settings, and the forecast winds aloft at different altitudes. They load enough fuel for a worst case scenario plus a hefty reserve.
N7YT was a brand new airplane with the airworthiness certificate issued on 01/15/2015, a little over a week ago. I'm just guessing, but I think it's possible the engine had higher than the POH 'book' fuel consumption either because it wasn't properly adjusted or the pilot was running the mixture too rich. I'm sure there'll be an NTSB investigation. I wonder if they'll be able to recover the airplane.
N7YT was a brand new airplane with the airworthiness certificate issued on 01/15/2015, a little over a week ago. I'm just guessing, but I think it's possible the engine had higher than the POH 'book' fuel consumption either because it wasn't properly adjusted or the pilot was running the mixture too rich. I'm sure there'll be an NTSB investigation. I wonder if they'll be able to recover the airplane.
#4
Senior Member
Wow. I heard this on the news last night and wondered what a plane like that was doing there. I guess it proves the airframe parachute concept, although it looks to me like the 'chute was dragging the plane after splashdown. If it could have been jettisoned immediately the plane might have floated longer.
#5
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I was wondering if there was some floatation capability along with the chute...allowing the plane to be suspended below, awaiting recovery. Or is the chute strictly to help the pilot and passengers survive the landing and ditch?
#6
Decrepit Member
Thread Starter
The actual name of the parachute is "Ballistic Recovery System", or BRS. In an emergency like running out of fuel or having a mid-air collision, the pilot pulls a handle and an explosive charge deploys the parachute. The system has save a bunch of lives.
#7
always rides with luggage
Cirruses have the chutes mostly for cases of engine failure and/or spin recovery, I believe... mostly over land. The article with the video said there have been 51 parachute applications that have saved 104 lives.
__________________
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
#8
Decrepit Member
Thread Starter
You're in Chapel Hill?
#9
always rides with luggage
Typically, the planning for a long overwater ferry flight, especially in a single engine airplane, is exhaustive. They know the hourly fuel consumption at different altitudes, the cruise speed at different altitudes and power settings, and the forecast winds aloft at different altitudes. They load enough fuel for a worst case scenario plus a hefty reserve.
N7YT was a brand new airplane with the airworthiness certificate issued on 01/15/2015, a little over a week ago. I'm just guessing, but I think it's possible the engine had higher than the POH 'book' fuel consumption either because it wasn't properly adjusted or the pilot was running the mixture too rich. I'm sure there'll be an NTSB investigation. I wonder if they'll be able to recover the airplane.
N7YT was a brand new airplane with the airworthiness certificate issued on 01/15/2015, a little over a week ago. I'm just guessing, but I think it's possible the engine had higher than the POH 'book' fuel consumption either because it wasn't properly adjusted or the pilot was running the mixture too rich. I'm sure there'll be an NTSB investigation. I wonder if they'll be able to recover the airplane.
In spite of all of the planning, stuff happens.
__________________
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
Last edited by bigbenaugust; 01-26-15 at 04:23 PM.
#10
always rides with luggage
My house is a couple of miles off the Horace Williams Airport threshhold in Carrboro, technically. We moved from the Bay Area a couple of years ago.
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--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
#11
Decrepit Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for the link about the Cessna Ag plane. I was thinking, "that story would make a great movie."

#12
Senior Member
For people there is training to release the chute after you hit the water to avoid being dragged. Looks like this would have been a good scenario for a similar ability on a small aircraft.
#13
Decrepit Member
Thread Starter
From interviews with the pilot, it sounds like there might have been a problem transferring fuel from the ferry tank to the airplane's wing tanks. He says he had more than enough fuel to get to Maui, but wasn't able to get the fuel from the ferry tank to the engine. Maybe a stuck valve in the fuel line from the ferry tank?
The ferry tank was installed in Tracy, CA, shortly before his departure for Maui.
The ferry tank was installed in Tracy, CA, shortly before his departure for Maui.
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From interviews with the pilot, it sounds like there might have been a problem transferring fuel from the ferry tank to the airplane's wing tanks. He says he had more than enough fuel to get to Maui, but wasn't able to get the fuel from the ferry tank to the engine. Maybe a stuck valve in the fuel line from the ferry tank?
The ferry tank was installed in Tracy, CA, shortly before his departure for Maui.
The ferry tank was installed in Tracy, CA, shortly before his departure for Maui.
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#16
always rides with luggage
Plus, it looks like he got picked up by a cruise ship... nice.
__________________
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7