420 Cirrus SR22T CAPS Pull: N39VF Power Loss and Parachute Drag Survival
5/26/20261 hr 4 min
Max talks with Troy Duck and John Von Fange about their dramatic Cirrus SR22T CAPS parachute deployment in N39VF after a power loss near Chanute, Kansas. What began as a routine flight quickly turned into an emergency when they heard a loud banging noise and lost engine power. Faced with a rapidly developing situation, they attempted to divert toward the airport, declared an emergency, and ultimately pulled the CAPS parachute. The event was unique in that they were able to user their Spyderco Manix 2 pocket knives to cut two of the parachute's Kevlar attachment harness lines from within the airplane.
In this episode, Troy and John describe what happened in the cockpit, how they assessed their options, and what led them to activate the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System. They also share what happened after touchdown, when strong winds kept the parachute inflated and dragged the aircraft across the ground, creating a second phase of danger after they were already on the surface.
This conversation offers valuable lessons for Cirrus pilots and all general aviation pilots about emergency decision-making, power-loss scenarios, CAPS readiness, and the importance of acting decisively before options disappear. It's a firsthand survival story with practical training value and a powerful reminder that preparation matters.
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Transcript preview
First 90 secondsMax Trescott· Host0:01
Today we're talking with Troy Duck and John Von Fange about a Cirrus SR22T flight that you may have heard about in the news. Last month, while over Kansas, their aircraft suffered an engine failure, and they decided to use the caps parachute, but that was just the beginning of their troubles. After they touched down, high surface winds caught the parachute and dragged the aircraft across fields, roads, fences, and trees, and much of that time the aircraft was upside down. Stick around and hear how they escaped from this unusual situation. Hello again, and welcome to Aviation News Talk, where we talk general aviation. My name is Max Trescott. I've been flying for fifty years. I'm the author of several books and the two thousand eight National Flight Instructor of the Year. And my mission is to help you become the safest possible pilot. Last week in episode four-nineteen, we talked about the collision at LaGuardia between an airliner and a firetruck. So if you didn't hear that episode, you may want to check it out at aviationnewstalk.com/four-one-nine. And if you're new to the show, welcome. Glad you found us. And if you would, take a moment right now in whatever app that you're using and touch the subscribe key, or if you're using Spotify or the Apple Podcast app, the follow key, so that next week's episode is downloaded for free. And just a quick reminder, if you are thinking of buying a new Cirrus, either an SR20, SR22, or a new Vision Jet sometime in the next year, please contact me first before you place an order, and I'll be happy to share what I know and walk