ZipItyDoDa
10-25-2005, 03:32 PM
For years when students and individuals interested in PPCs asked me
if a chute will collapse in flight I could honestly answer that I had
never seen one collapse or even heard of one doing so in-flight. I
can no longer say I haven't seen an in flight collapse.
Last Wed at the Utah Fly In I watched as a Paraski was flying just
East of the field when the wing just collapsed for a few seconds
dropping the PPC and then reinflating. The unit dropped probably 10-
20ft or so. The pilot landed without further incident. I spoke with
him after landing and he confirmed he felt the collapse and explained
he had been in a turn when it happened. He had been at about 200-300
ft when the collapse happened. It was not a tight turn or a spiral.
I was not the only person who saw the collapse as Fredrick and
several others saw it also.
I am not familiar with the Paraski or the wings that are used on it.
Maybe someone else here can provide some explanation as to the
probable cause of the collapse or if this has happened with Paraski
before.
I think it is very important to understand what caused this incident
so that Paraski pilots can avoid a similar situation.
It was a sight I hope I never see again and I am thankful the pilot
was able to land safely.
John Yonkin
John,
I talked to him about it & he told me he was also pulling on the D
ring, which is like pulling in extra line, in order to tighten the
turn. it was their (paraski's) 600 SF semi ellipitical, which will
only carry 1 person on a 2 place plane.When he released the D ring,
it reinflated.
Phil Dietro
if a chute will collapse in flight I could honestly answer that I had
never seen one collapse or even heard of one doing so in-flight. I
can no longer say I haven't seen an in flight collapse.
Last Wed at the Utah Fly In I watched as a Paraski was flying just
East of the field when the wing just collapsed for a few seconds
dropping the PPC and then reinflating. The unit dropped probably 10-
20ft or so. The pilot landed without further incident. I spoke with
him after landing and he confirmed he felt the collapse and explained
he had been in a turn when it happened. He had been at about 200-300
ft when the collapse happened. It was not a tight turn or a spiral.
I was not the only person who saw the collapse as Fredrick and
several others saw it also.
I am not familiar with the Paraski or the wings that are used on it.
Maybe someone else here can provide some explanation as to the
probable cause of the collapse or if this has happened with Paraski
before.
I think it is very important to understand what caused this incident
so that Paraski pilots can avoid a similar situation.
It was a sight I hope I never see again and I am thankful the pilot
was able to land safely.
John Yonkin
John,
I talked to him about it & he told me he was also pulling on the D
ring, which is like pulling in extra line, in order to tighten the
turn. it was their (paraski's) 600 SF semi ellipitical, which will
only carry 1 person on a 2 place plane.When he released the D ring,
it reinflated.
Phil Dietro