As 2008 ends, we see some good news. Fewer fatal accidents, more CAPS saves and a decline in the fatal accident rate.
The final quarter of 2008 had fewer fatal accidents than same dark months of Oct-Dec in 2007 or 2006 (3 vs 5 or 5 respectively). The last three months also had three CAPS activations after a 13-month gap. All this is good news as the fleet continues to grow beyond 4,200 airplanes and 2.6 million hours of flying time. As of Dec 31, 2008, there have been 44 fatal accidents with 88 fatalities and 13 serious injuries, and 16 CAPS activations with 29 survivors.
The Cirrus fatal accident rate declined to 1.43 fatal accidents per 100,000 hours in the past 12 months, 1.51 in the past 36 months (click image to enlarge).
Recent fatal accidents:
- Oct 22, 2008: Zurich, Switzerland, Plane impacted terrain on airport after deviating due to alternator failure and maneuvering to land with low ceilings; 3 fatal, 1 seriously injured (see SR-22 Crash in Zurich, sad day for our "Cirrus Family" ... SR22 down in Zurich (LSZH) / Switzerland)
- Nov 13, 2008: Tallahasee, FL, Plane impacted two cars and a house on IFR approach; ATC reported heading deviation during approach; 2 fatal, 2 seriously injured on the ground (see SR22 crash Tallahassee Florida, Cirrus accident in Tallahassee, FL, What if I were low time, low energy, low fuel in low IMC?)
- Nov 15, 2008: Cherbourg, France, Pilot flying VFR over clouds from England to Jersey in Channel Islands; impacted water at high speed after descending in cruise; 1 fatal (see missing solo flyer in English Channel, SR-22 Crash off Jersey)
Recent CAPS activations:
- Oct 11, 2008: Huesco, Spain, Low-altitude loss of control; pilot reports 2 turn spin from 2500 feet, activated CAPS and landed on power lines; 3 uninjured (see Parachute deployed in Spain, Remember Caps pull in Spain two months ago?)
- Dec 18, 2008: Gouvy, Belguim, Pilot reported icing and attempted to exit but accumulated more ice, heard terrain warning and activated CAPS, landing in a tree; 1 minor injuries (see Cirrus Down In Belgium? and CAPS Pull #15 near Gouvy, Belgium in SR22 N702SR)
- Dec 19, 2008: Patterson, LA, Pilot reported engine problems during night flight and activated CAPS, landing in canal; 1 uninjured (see Incident report----anyone know what happened??, 2007 Cirrus Down in Lousiana parachute deployed, CAPS Pull #16 near Patterson, LA in SR22 N479SR)
Cheers
Rick
Posted
1 Jan 2009 21:15
by
Rick Beach