Plane with parachute: meet the Cirrus SR22 that crashed in MG

On the morning of Tuesday (25) a single-engine plane crashed in the rural area of Mateus Leme, a citizen in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte. The pilot survived and what drew attention was the fact that a parachute from the device minimized the consequences of the accident: the pilot and sole occupant left without serious injuries from the accident – only consequences for smoke inhalation.

The parachute plane is a Cirrus Design S22, a single-engine aircraft produced by Cirrus Aircraft was launched in the early 2000s and became one of the best-selling piston aircraft in its category. The unit that was involved in the accident, an engine fire, is from 2013 with a capacity for 5 occupants.

The main differential of the Cirrus SR22 is the CAPS, an acronym for Cirrus Airframe Parachute System. It is a large parachute installed in the structure of the aircraft and designed to be used when the pilot is unable to perform a conventional landing.

When activated, the system deploys the parachute and allows the aircraft to descend in a controlled manner to the ground. Unlike individual parachutes, the CAPS supports the entire plane.

The equipment is part of Cirrus’ safety philosophy and has accompanied the SR family since the first models. The system does not eliminate the risks involved in operating an aircraft, but it does create an alternative for situations in which the pilot is unable to control or land the plane in a conventional way.

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Now, he lands alone

The most recent generation of the model, called SR22 G7+, received another feature that expands the aircraft’s automation: Safe Return Emergency Autoland.

The system was developed for situations of pilot incapacity. When activated, it takes control of the aircraft, selects a suitable airport and performs the necessary steps for landing: controls the route, communicates with air traffic units, conducts the approach, lands the aircraft, decelerates and can turn off the engine.

The conventional Cirrus SR22 uses the Continental IO-550-N engine, a horizontally opposed, air-cooled six-cylinder equipped with an injection system.

Engine of Cirrus S22

The engine develops 310 hp, equivalent to about 314 hp. The power allows the plane to reach a maximum cruise speed close to 339 km/h. There is also the SR22T, a version equipped with a turbocharged engine. The main advantage of this configuration is the ability to maintain performance at higher altitudes.

The naturally aspirated SR22 has an operating ceiling of approximately 5,300 meters, while the SR22T can fly at up to 7,620 meters. The turbo version also has differences in speed and autonomy.