Just thinking about mystery flight 370. If it had to make an emergency landing, there are very few places to do it safely (requires a runway at least a mile long). In the event of an emergency landing, why are modern airliners not equipped with a landing parachute (like the space shuttle, or fighter jets) to cut down on the required minimum runway length ? Seems to be a no brainer to me.
Like one giant parachute for the entire plane? Or individual parachutes for passengers? I think both are a good idea. I've always wondered why commercial airliners don't include parachutes for passengers. I think it comes down to liability - survivors would sue for a broken leg, or sheered off arm from the trip down. Better to let them all die.?
Cost is too high to insure such a low-probability event. Odds of a fatal commercial airline crash where a parachute could have been deployed, <1 :1,000,000. ??
I'm sure someone can bring a small parachute as "carry on" luggage if they really wanted too because it will fit the requirements for such. Just don't tell the other passengers what you have because it'll probably scare the hell out of folks. Would you board a plane in which you saw a few of the passengers carrying just a backpack that looks very similar to some of the available small parachutes ? Seriously, I have a close friend that does different types of parachuting events and I really can't tell the difference between his "parachute backpack" and today's backpacks worn by many of today's typical college student walking across campus on their way to class or someone hiking in the woods/trail.
Probably because they would never use them in an emergency. The only time a landing parachute would be useful is if an airliner landed on a short runway. Even if an airliner DID land on a short runway it would probably slow down enough by the time it hit the grass to not harm passengers. I can't think of a single recent aviation accident that was due to being forced down on a smaller airfield.
If 100-500 people can't exit a plane parked at the gate in less than 15 minutes, what makes you think these same people would be able to jump out before the plane crashes? Another note - in how many plane crashes was the plane stable and flying at a low enough altitude for long enough time to allow for the safe exit of most of the passengers and crew? What's the next idea - seats with chutes that can be ejected by the pilot pushing a button. That ought to a wonderful sight to see. And that's without considering how destabilized the plane would become if the roof is blown off and the passengers ejected at differing times to avoid fatal collisions with one another...
He's not talking people parachutes, he's talking plane drag chutes, to slow the plane if forced on a short runway.
I've always wondered about having to get out of a plane quick. So many people drag ass when getting off a plane at the gate I imagine it would be just as bad in an emergency.
How about a massive parachute for the entire plane? So if the engines die or a wing falls off, the chute is deployed out the tail and the plane floats to the ground? That would save lives.