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GRS Parachute Failure

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2017 10:11 am
by MrMorden
I have not seen a ballistic parachute failure before, except in the case of excessive speed. Maybe that was a factor here?

https://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/C ... 857-1.html

Re: GRS Parachute Failure

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2017 10:47 am
by Warmi
It seems to imply that it was not the parachute itself that failed but rather the attachment point on the plane which in turn resulted in partial inflation etc...

Re: GRS Parachute Failure

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2017 10:58 am
by Wm.Ince
May those pilots rest in peace.
This underscores the importance of proper engineering and installation. That parachute is something that one should not cut corners on (think inspection and maintanence). Otherwise, you may as well remove it and fly around like a Cessna or Piper.
I view my BRS as part of my insurance coverage, with no second thoughts about it.

Re: GRS Parachute Failure

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2017 11:36 am
by MrMorden
In the CT forum it was brought up that this seems to be the first operational deployment of a GRS "in the wild". If so, it's a disappointing first experience.

We will know more about the true causes after the investigation. Whether the installation was to manufacturer's specs, how maintenance was performed, and the speed at deployment are questions I'd be curious to know answers to.

Re: GRS Parachute Failure

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2017 1:15 pm
by FastEddieB
Well, there was a single failure to properly deploy in a Cirrus, albeit not GRS.

The pilot managed to regroup and land:

Image

http://www.aero-news.net/annticker.cfm? ... 95ab971053

So far blamed on extreme gyrations when the chute was pulled.

Still, the accident in question is tragic and should raise concerns.

Re: GRS Parachute Failure

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2017 1:29 pm
by Warmi
MrMorden wrote:In the CT forum it was brought up that this seems to be the first operational deployment of a GRS "in the wild". If so, it's a disappointing first experience.

We will know more about the true causes after the investigation. Whether the installation was to manufacturer's specs, how maintenance was performed, and the speed at deployment are questions I'd be curious to know answers to.
That's incorrect - there have been quite a few operational deployments:

TL Sirius in Germany
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQjxpwzigN4

Sting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRD2tnHpmnA

Virus SW in Canada
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0l8ejwiDki0

Re: GRS Parachute Failure

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2017 1:45 pm
by MrMorden
Warmi wrote:
MrMorden wrote:In the CT forum it was brought up that this seems to be the first operational deployment of a GRS "in the wild". If so, it's a disappointing first experience.

We will know more about the true causes after the investigation. Whether the installation was to manufacturer's specs, how maintenance was performed, and the speed at deployment are questions I'd be curious to know answers to.
That's incorrect - there have been quite a few operational deployments:

TL Sirius in Germany
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQjxpwzigN4

Sting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRD2tnHpmnA

Virus SW in Canada
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0l8ejwiDki0
Thanks, I thought that seemed weird considering the number out there. On another forum somebody mentioned both GRS and NTSB said it was the first, glad to see that corrected.

Re: GRS Parachute Failure

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2017 1:56 pm
by Merlinspop
Maybe GRS meant to say this was the first failure of one deployed in flight (non test).

Re: GRS Parachute Failure

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2017 2:05 pm
by Merlinspop
(Duplicate deleted)

Re: GRS Parachute Failure

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2017 3:37 pm
by Warmi
BTW That Sirius guy in Germany .. I would not deploy grs in a perfectly good plane with just a busted nose wheel.
To me seems like deploying a chute at a pattern altitude is a greater risk than attempting a collapsed nose gear landing in a light sport.

Re: GRS Parachute Failure

Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2017 9:00 am
by dstclair
The Sirius deployment looks to be only 150-200 feet AGL. Pretty impressive!

FYI -- There are several more Pipistrel GRS deployments documented as well.

Re: GRS Parachute Failure

Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2017 10:28 am
by dstclair
A bit more from the actual report:
"Metallurgical examination of the separated front anchor revealed that it had been bolted into
aluminum bulkhead skin that was about 0.022-inch thick. Although the anchor and seven of its
eight bolts remained intact, the surrounding aluminum skin of the airplane had separated from
the airplane in overstress. Without any additional supporting structure such as longerons,
stringers, or bathtub fittings, it is likely the thin aluminum skin could not withstand the force
applied to the front anchor during parachute deployment
Also, the article definitely got the number of chute deployments wrong:
The investigation noted that the first
in-flight deployment of the parachute on the make and model airplane was on the accident
airplane during the accident flight.
The Probable cause:
The pilots' loss of control that necessitated the activation of the parachute system and the
airplane manufacturer's inadequate design of the front parachute anchor attachment structure,
which resulted in a failure of the parachute

Re: GRS Parachute Failure

Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2017 11:28 am
by Warmi
Actually, I think article is correct ... it states that this was the very first deployment of the parachute on the make and model airplane which I have no reason to doubt .. ( never heard of Jihlavan though ..)

Re: GRS Parachute Failure

Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2017 7:45 pm
by dstclair
Warmi wrote:Actually, I think article is correct ... it states that this was the very first deployment of the parachute on the make and model airplane which I have no reason to doubt .. ( never heard of Jihlavan though ..)
Nope -- the article excluded key parts of the NTSB quote. From the article:
The NTSB said Galaxy Rescue Systems told them the accident was the first time one of the chutes had been deployed in flight. During certification, one test deployment was performed on the ground.