I am sure this idea stemmed from way too many alcoholic beverages, but I got to thinking: why aren't all commercial airlines equipped with a huge parachute atop the plane? Barring a huge explosion, wouldn't this virtually save all lives in the case of engine failure and other mechanical malfunctions? I saw that footage of that plane crash the other day and it reminded me to pose this question. Probably a dumb ass idea, but outside of increased cost for the airlines, why isn't this doable? I am sure I am missing something.

Could a parachute support the weight of a jet?

justincredible;1437258 wrote:Could a parachute support the weight of a jet?

Yeah, there's no way a parachute could hold the weight of a commercial airliner.

The parachute would have to be so big, the plane couldn't support the weight of the chute either. It doubt if a chute that size would even be able to deploy.

A Boeing 747 weighs ~400,000 lbs empty and ~800,000 lbs full.

That is pretty hard to overcome with just drag forces.

Like PB said, think about how large the parachute would have to be.

Brings back memories of college physics just thinking about it.

Yeah, I figured there had to be a logical explanation ... just seemed too easy an answer! Ahhh physics ...

PS, Operation Dumbo drop was pure BS! haha