At least one type suspends the aircraft tail down when the chute is
deployed.
This is probably the optimum energy absorbing method, with abvious
benefits in crushing the tail first, and keeping a high wing from
dropping into the cabin. The disadvantage is the possibility of whiplash
on the neck.

Brian W


On 8/19/2010 10:09 PM, a wrote:
On Aug 19, 10:56 pm, wrote:
It would seem like it would be a big advantage to come down level, for
the aircraft and the passengers.

To heck with the aircraft. At that point it has already done something
to let me down, so to speak. Now it's only purpose in life is to absorb
as
much of the impact energy as it can and keep that energy from me and my
passengers.

Which is why I put the "and the passengers" in there. You can't beat all
the ways a level aircraft can protect the passengers. The gear gives and
holds, or collapses and absorbs energy, protecting the passengers. The
seats give and hold, or collapse and absorb energy, protecting the
passengers. The cushions (if it has them) absorbes a little energy. The
seats hopefully are contoured to support the passengers, thus spreading the
remaining energy throughout the body rather than making one part of the body
take all of the punishment. If the seats are nicely reclined, they help
protect the back even more. The fact that you are not moving forward, like
a nose first impact, will keep the engine from ending up in your lap, and if
it has a header fuel tank, it will be less likely to rupture and burn.
Also, your body will be less likely to smash into the instrument panel and
other forward structures.

So yes, the heck with the aircraft. Level is good. It just so happens that
if the aircraft comes to rest level and on even, forgiving terrain, well
designed landing gear and energy absorbing seats might be about the only
thing that has to be replaced.

Someone mentioned it is like dropping from 15 feet, at 23 MPH. Shoot, most
of the time a person will survive a fall of that distance without anything
to protect them. Having a plane and a seat to take some impact should be
gravy.
--
Jim in NC

It pays to remember to open the doors before impact, there's a chance
airframe bending would otherwise jam them. Interesting though, jammed
doors were not mentioned as a factor in the cases where people talked
about deployed rescue parachutes, although in one case I think someone
had to break open a window