Ballistic Recovery Systems (BRS) Danger

*Thanks to Wikipedia.com for the images.

Throughout the decades, aerospace firms have sought to make their respective companie's airframes more reliable, easier to fly and paramount: safer. Thus enter the Ballistic Recovery System (BRS) that is more commonly fit to small single engine piston aircraft such as the Cirrus SR-22 you see above.

A Ballistic Recovery System is a sort of "last resort" for the unfortunate pilot in an emergency. Upon (in Cirrus' case) pulling a red lever on the inside roof of the aircraft, explosive charges will force a parachute from the airframe, thus slowing the descent of the aircraft. (Which in the proper case, the aircraft will land vertically on it's landing gear as you can see in the set of pictures).


You may ask, "What does this mean for me?" Well, it means quite a bit say you happen on a crashed SR-22 as a result of a REDCAP.

My sources at the local FBO and several Cirrus pilots have stated on several occasions, however that I have not been able to confirm, the typical BRS has the explosive power of a hand grenade. Should you happen on the wreckage of an aircraft that is equipped with a BRS, the best policy would to be to stand clear. Notify the IC via any means possible. This could perhaps result in a call in to the local bomb squad to dis-arm the system, which WILL operate sans electrical power from the aircraft.

Let's remember: Look before you leap.

First Lieutenant Christopher Bishop
Communications Officer SC-056