Chilling Cirrus Crash Audio Reviewed by Popular YouTube Pilot

Minnesota is home to one of the most popular and technically advanced private plane makers in the world, and they can be proud that their unique safety equipment once again saved lives.

Cirrus Aircraft, headquartered in Duluth, manufactures both prop-powered and jet-powered personal aircraft. But what sets them apart from other manufacturers is their groundbreaking Cirrus Airframe Parachute System, known as CAPS.

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Safety System That Changes the Game Made in MN

According to Cirrus, this one-of-a-kind safety feature has saved more than 250 lives, and now three more people can be added to that total. The system was deployed during a recent flight over Lake Michigan, saving everyone on board.

The aviation community quickly took notice. The popular YouTube channel Captain Steeeve, run by a former airline pilot, shared a detailed analysis of the emergency. The video has already been watched more than 350,000 times.

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A Harrowing Emergency Over Lake Michigan

The incident happened on September 11th when the pilot of a Cirrus SR22 reported problems with his aircraft. Low oil pressure quickly turned into a complete engine failure. After declaring “Mayday, mayday, mayday,” the pilot had no choice but to glide as far as possible before deploying the parachute system at around 1,500 feet.

The aircraft floated down into Lake Michigan, where all three passengers escaped before the plane sank beneath the waves.

Swift Rescue Efforts

Another plane in the area spotted the downed aircraft and helped rescuers locate the passengers. The U.S. Coast Guard and local sheriff’s office boats responded quickly, rescuing the trio about 12 nautical miles off the coast of Milwaukee.

This incident is another reminder of the critical role Cirrus Aircraft and its Duluth-based innovations play in aviation safety worldwide.