HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – A bizarre crash landing in a north Harris County neighborhood last week involved an airplane safety device that could one day be used on commercial airline jets.
"For a 747, I know the technology isn't quite there yet, but I know Cirrus is testing the technology on a jet," Reid Nelson, the executive director of Tidal Aviation, said.
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Nelson's Houston-area company trains novice, intermediate and seasoned pilots to fly and use the unique features of Cirrus aircraft.
Every Cirrus airplane since 1999 has been equipped with a parachute system -- the very system that is credited with saving the lives of two men on July 7.
"In the event that you couldn't normally land the plane, this would be a last resort," Nelson said.
Nelson said he can train experienced pilots to use the safety features on a Cirrus plane in just a few days.
There are certain do's and don'ts with the safety system. Even with the parachute deployed, the aircraft is often significantly damaged, if not totaled, when it hits the ground.
The airplane involved in July 7's crash was totaled, according to the man who collected pieces of the plane a day after the crash.
"It is the equivalent of dropping the plane from 13 feet," Nelson said.
To date, the Cirrus airplane parachute system, which is deployed from the rear of the $500,000-plus aircraft, has saved more than 100 lives, Nelson said.