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First Emergency Use of Whole-Aircraft Parachute

Posted by michael on from the skydiving dept.

Ahotasu writes "Over at SpaceFlightNow, there is a short NASA news release discussing the development of and first emergency use of a production parachute system for a general aviation aircraft. Whole-ultralight parachute systems have been available and used for some time, but this is apparently the first use in a "certified general-aviation aircraft". From the article: "In October 2002, a pilot released his single engine aircraft's parachute and landed safely in a Texas mesquite- tree grove. The pilot was uninjured, and there was minimal damage to the plane. The safe landing made aviation history, as it was the first emergency application of an airframe parachute on a certified aircraft." Here's the company's website. Looks like right now, they only have models for a select few gen. aviation aircraft, probably the most popular models."

3 of 338 comments (clear)

  1. Oh please! by GMontag · · Score: -1, Troll

    I see the Space Shuttle land with a parachute every few weeks! What is the big deal with this! How is this news, for nerds or anybody else?

    hehe... err... trying to keep from giggling

    --
    Eve Fairbanks says I drive a hybrid!LOL
    1. Re:Oh please! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

      Wow! Looks like I have my own little negative fan modding all my jokes as trolls. My own personal stalker! Neat!

      Now, use up your points on me so that the real trolls can have their fun.

  2. Re:Wonder if... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    They could have just gracefully floated into the WTC!