http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/jul/30/two-men-dead-grand-canyon-plane-crash/ No details other than I'm being told that a friend that I made during PP training was one of the two killed. We lost touch over the years but I understand he and his wife have a young (read toddler) daughter and another child on the way... just sucks. CAPS was just worked on before flight...
Is it me, or do Cirrus aircraft seem to be involved in an inordinate number of fatal crashes relative to their numbers?
They do give that impression, do they not? I think it may be due to the Cirrus being the hot new thing that appeals to a lot of low-time pilots who have more money than experience and jump right into a 20 or 22 from their trainer. Happened and continues to happen with the Bonanza (The "twin-tailed doctor killer") and other high perf singles. Also, I think the CAPS may be a curse in disguise. May make people more inclined to venture into situations they are not equipped to handle that progress to an outcome that even a parachute can't help them avoid. This is no statement on the quality or ability of the individuals involved in the accident, either. I'm sorry to hear that you lost a friend and even sadder to hear he is leaving a young family behind.
As for the V tail, I thought they had an AD that corrected that issue. I know about the "wag" and I have a friend who I have flown with and it seems fine. Why did they make this very cool looking V tail? I think I have seen a military craft with this. It looks neat. Was the orginal purpose less drag?
