It probably seems to most of us that "plane crash" and "death of everyone on-board" are pretty synonymous. How does anyone survive a plane crash?
Well, this fortunate family did — simply because they had the right equipment:
A family of three — Artem Konokuk, 38, his partner and two-year-old daughter — landed in the forests of Whitehorn, California March 8, after Konokuk realized his training flight did not have the clearance to make it over a steep tree-lined hill.
The 20-year-old plane, a Cirrus SR22, featured the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS): a giant parachute made of bulletproof Kevlar, capable of drifting an entire single-engine craft safely down to Earth.
Local Shelter Cove Fire captured images of the crash and its aftermath:
The fire department indicated that the whole incident was a serious near-miss:
The coordinated response from our fellow emergency response agencies and the quick action of the witnesses played a crucial role in locating and ensuring the safety of those involved in this incident, including extinguishing a small fire, this is extremely steep and difficult terrain. Even with the parachute the parties involved were extremely fortunate to only receive minor injuries.
The parachute, including its deployment system, sounds extremely impressive:
During an in-flight emergency, the pilot or co-pilot can deploy the solid-fuel rocket out of a concealed compartment where the parachute is stored, with just the pull of a lever.
The rocket rapidly yanks the parachute rearward from the back of the airplane, unfurling the system's 65-foot diameter canopy in seconds.
The fabric of the parachute's canopy is all kevlar (like bulletproof vests) and nylon, 'woven to military specifications' including 'yarn count, yarn twist, weave type, and finish.'
One portion, a cloth buffer, uses teflon 'to ensure good aging characteristics,' the company notes — a crucial design consideration for emergency gear that may stay packed and unused for long periods.
The chute can reportedly "cut the plane's forward velocity to zero in just eight seconds."
Devices known as "reefing line cutters," meanwhile, work to reorient the plane so that it doesn't descend nose-down, further avoiding injuries.
Footage of the California crash does not appear to exist, but a similar recent incident in Seattle shows the impressive qualities of these bulletproof chutes:
It just goes to show you: Invest in good gear and you'll be in good shape.
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