On Saturday, September 4th, a small plane crash in Western New York resulted in the deaths of two individuals after a parachute deployment. The incident occurred around 11:45 am in the town of Pembroke, located in Genesee County.
According to reports, the single-engine plane, a Cirrus SR22, was flying from Burlington, Vermont to Buffalo, New York when it experienced engine trouble. The pilot, identified as 60-year-old Kevin Johnston of Manchester, Vermont, deployed the plane’s parachute in an attempt to make an emergency landing.
The plane ultimately crashed into a field near Boyce Road and Brown Road, resulting in the deaths of both Johnston and his passenger, 59-year-old Joseph White of Amherst, New York.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating the crash. In a statement released on September 5th, the NTSB stated that they will be examining the plane’s maintenance records, pilot training, and weather conditions at the time of the crash.
The use of a parachute in small planes is becoming increasingly common. The Cirrus SR22 is equipped with a parachute system known as the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS), which can be deployed in emergency situations. The CAPS system has been credited with saving numerous lives in small plane crashes.
However, while the use of a parachute can increase the chances of survival in a small plane crash, it is not foolproof. In some cases, the parachute may not deploy properly or may not be able to slow the plane down enough to prevent a crash.
In addition to investigating the cause of the crash, the NTSB will also be examining the effectiveness of the CAPS system in this particular incident.
Small plane crashes are relatively rare but can be deadly. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), there were 1,297 general aviation accidents in 2020, resulting in 299 fatalities. General aviation includes all civilian flying except for scheduled commercial airline service.
The FAA recommends that all small plane pilots receive regular training and maintain their aircraft properly to reduce the risk of accidents. Additionally, passengers should be aware of the risks associated with small plane travel and should always wear a seatbelt during flight.
The small plane crash in Western New York is a tragic reminder of the dangers of aviation. While the use of a parachute can increase the chances of survival in an emergency situation, it is important to remember that there are no guarantees when it comes to flying. As the investigation into this incident continues, we can only hope that lessons will be learned to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
