Todd wrote..There's no
indication that I know of that the drag chute played any
part.

I would say the drag chute did play a part in this accident. The question I
would ask is; Did the pilot deploy the chute and if so, why? Or did the chute
deploy without the pilot knowing it? Trying to select an off-field landing spot
with an uncommanded drag chute deployed could have given the pilot a
distraction that he didn't need at a critical time.


JJ Sinclair