Episode
401 Cirrus Crash Lessons: CAPS Parachute Save vs. Deadly Go-Around + GA News
- Published
- Oct 23, 2025
- Duration seconds
- 4040
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Summary
Max talks with John Fiscus of The Flight Academy to break down two Cirrus SR22 accidents that highlight the extremes of safety outcomes in general aviation: one a dramatic survival story, the other a heartbreaking tragedy. Accident 1: CAPS Parachute Save over Lake Michigan The first accident involved a Cirrus SR22 (N121JB) that suffered engine failure shortly after reaching 7,500 feet on a flight across Lake Michigan. The pilot and passengers had life vests ready, immediately turned toward shore, declared a mayday, and deployed the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS). The parachute brought the aircraft down safely into the cold waters, where the occupants were rescued by the Coast Guard. This outcome underscores why CAPS has become one of Cirrus's most powerful safety innovations. John emphasizes lessons from the accident: Always wear flotation gear before flying over large bodies of water. Be cautious of low-time airplanes—this Cirrus had only 75 hours in four years, raising concerns about engine reliability. Understand the "unwritten rule": don't fly beyond gliding distance over the Great Lakes, where hypothermia makes ditching survival unlikely. Accident 2: Fatal Go-Around at Franklin County Airport, NC The second case involved a Cirrus SR22 Turbo (N218VB) attempting to land at Franklin County Airport in North Carolina. Weather was clear, but the pilot approached high, fast, and tight, leaving little margin for error. After abandoning the first landing attempt, the pilot tried again but remained unstable. On the second approach, the aircraft descended steeply and attempted a go-around, which ended in a fatal crash. John and Max discuss common contributing factors in go-around accidents: Unstable approaches with excessive speed and descent rates. Turbocharged eng…