CAPS in Sedona 2025.11.03

MonkeyClaw

MonkeyClaw

Pre-takeoff checklist
Joined
Sep 17, 2019
Messages
255
Location
Sedona, AZ
Display Name
Timothy Miller
Home Airfield
KSEZ
Looks like there was a CAPS activation in Sedona today. Awaiting further information, but 2 survived.
 
Weather observations at SEZ were unremarkable. Actually, pretty much perfect flying weather.
 
Flying Keys said:
Weather observations at SEZ were unremarkable. Actually, pretty much perfect flying weather.
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Yeah, the METAR doesn't show anything from that time. Where I live just South of the airport (a little beyond the crash site), we had enough clouds that the sun was blocked out. Around here that's basically the apocalypse. I haven't heard any other news.
 
For discussion's sake...
If the aircraft "lands" (VTOL style) in a soft, grassy field- what is the anticipated damage (other than a very expensive repack and repair for the CAPS) ?
 
flyingron said:
Teacher says every time a Cirrus chute gets pulled, a Navion gets a new engine.
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Navion Owners Association is being investigated for a possible ring of members sabotaging Cirrus Aircraft. More on the evening Eyewitness News.
 
luvflyin said:
Navion Owners Association is being investigated for a possible ring of members sabotaging Cirrus Aircraft. More on the evening Eyewitness News.
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Someone needs to do a cartoon of a Cirrus floating down into a ring of hungry Navions on the ground below, all holding wrenches like knives and forks.....

Ron Wanttaja
 
tobnpr said:
For discussion's sake...
If the aircraft "lands" (VTOL style) in a soft, grassy field- what is the anticipated damage (other than a very expensive repack and repair for the CAPS) ?
Click to expand...
If the chute is deployed on a Cirrus, the airframe is no longer usable. It doesn't matter how soft the touchdown is.
 
Flyhound said:
If the chute is deployed on a Cirrus, the airframe is no longer usable. It doesn't matter how soft the touchdown is.
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I don’t believe that’s true. There are at least a handful returned to flight after CAPS repairs.

From Gemini: Yes, a Cirrus airplane that has had its Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) deployed can often be repaired and returned to service.


While a CAPS deployment is an extreme event designed to save lives, not necessarily the airframe, the aircraft is often repairable, though the extent of the damage (and thus the cost) depends heavily on the landing site and conditions.


Here's a breakdown of the process and considerations…
 
Flyhound said:
If the chute is deployed on a Cirrus, the airframe is no longer usable. It doesn't matter how soft the touchdown is.
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There was one for sale on trade-a- plane a couple of months ago.
 
FastEddieB said:
I don’t believe that’s true. There are at least a handful returned to flight after CAPS repairs.

From Gemini: Yes, a Cirrus airplane that has had its Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) deployed can often be repaired and returned to service.


While a CAPS deployment is an extreme event designed to save lives, not necessarily the airframe, the aircraft is often repairable, though the extent of the damage (and thus the cost) depends heavily on the landing site and conditions.


Here's a breakdown of the process and considerations…
Click to expand...

Yeah I don't think there is a blanket policy that they can't be rebuilt, its just a case by case basis on if it is financially worth restoration versus totaling and scrapping. A lot probably depends on what it hit and how, although just the actual CAPS deployment can cause at least some damage as the rocket and cables come out.
 
FastEddieB said:
I don’t believe that’s true. There are at least a handful returned to flight after CAPS repairs.

From Gemini: Yes, a Cirrus airplane that has had its Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) deployed can often be repaired and returned to service.


While a CAPS deployment is an extreme event designed to save lives, not necessarily the airframe, the aircraft is often repairable, though the extent of the damage (and thus the cost) depends heavily on the landing site and conditions.


Here's a breakdown of the process and considerations…
Click to expand...
I should have said that the Cirrus structure is not designed for re-use after a CAPS deployment. The CAPS (Cirrus Airframe Parachute System) is intended to save the occupants' lives, but the energy-absorbing structure of the airframe is designed to protect the airplane's occupants by crushing to absorb impact energy and the aircraft is typically considered a total loss after a deployment. I'd be vary cautious about buying, or even flying in a Cirrus airframe that had been recovered from a CAPS deployment. Unlike metal construction, damage to composite structures is not always visible and something that looks fine may not be structurally sound. I don't know how well NDT can identify delamination or other structural deficiencies in composite structures.
 
wanttaja said:
Someone needs to do a cartoon of a Cirrus floating down into a ring of hungry Navions on the ground below, all holding wrenches like knives and forks.....
Click to expand...
OIG2.webp

AI seems to struggle with the concept of Navions.
 

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