25 March 2009
The initial <a href=’http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20090319X54357&key=1′ target=’_blank’>NTSB report</a> into last week’s <a href=’http://www.flyer.co.uk/news/newsfeed.php?artnum=858′ target=’_blank’>crash of the second Cessna Skycatcher prototype</a> has revealed that the BRS (Ballistic Recovery System) parachute may not have functioned as planned after the initial deployment.
According to the NTSB, the pilot was conducting spin testing.
‘During a planned test condition the airplane entered a rapid and disorienting spin. The pilot applied spin recovery controls and the airplane continued to spin without apparent response, so the pilot deployed the airplane’s Ballistic Recovery System (BRS) parachute. The BRS had been specifically modified to allow the chute to be jettisoned by the pilot if altitude and conditions allowed. After BRS deployment and the airplane became stabilized in the parachute, the pilot attempted to jettison the chute several times. Each jettison attempt was unsuccessful. The pilot then opened the airplane door to bailout and utilize a personal parachute, but realized he was too low to ensure a successful bailout and elected to stay with the airplane. The pilot shut down the engine prior to landing.’
After touchdown, and after the pilot had vacated the aircraft and while he was attempting to disengage the parachute, the canopy was caught by the wind and dragged the aircraft 0.6 miles along the ground.
