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Originally Posted by ohioboxster
...Jim,
Actually there was a fatality involving the parachuted plane. I dont have the details but the fire guys were talking about it last night.
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Hi,
Actually, their information is incorrect. The BRS system does have an operating envelope.
In Level Flight, the minimum deployment altitude is 400' AGL, and in Non-Level Flight or Spin Recovery, the minimum deployment altitude is 920' AGL (the additional altitude required for the Drogue Chute to stabilize the aircraft prior to Main Chute deployment).
There have been several deployments below these minimum altitudes resulting in casualties or fatalities, such as on Final Approach or Take-Off, as well as other low altutude incidents.
The only disputed fatal crash took place after a Cirrus SR22 entered a flat spin at approximately 5,000' AGL. In this accident, currently in litigation, the role of the parachute is in dispute, and Cirrus believes that the attorneys representing the estate of the deceased pilots will argue that one or both of them tried in vain to deploy the chute.
In its report, the NTSB simply said that they did not deploy the chute, and cited as a probable cause of the fatalities, the failure to do so. Both Cirrus and BRS agree with the Board’s report, and they contend that they can positively determine whether an occupant has tried to deploy the chute, even when there has been a post-crash fire, as there was in this crash.
Other than this disputed incident, there have been no fatalities involving BRS deployment within it's nominal operating parameters.
Ironically, the retro-fitting of this system has met mixed reviews. Pilots do not like giving up control of the aircraft in an emergency, and once deployed, they're just along for the ride. Also, some express concerns over frivolous deployments (such as when a Pilot encounters choppy weather or loses control, not a good concern IMHO). While still some others cite the systems cost - approx. $20k (about the same as a good avionics upgrade, but cheap compared to one's life or totalling a plane).
But, all-in-all, the system has had a remarkable success rate...
Happy Motoring!... Jim'99