I fully agree with the actions and taken by Cirrus so far and would like to thank Cirrus and Mike for the information on this subject.
This does however not imply that it is acceptable that handles break / bend or rockets fail to ignite when fired with over 100lbs force.
After 300+ airplane have been delivered to customers, who trust that there is an additional last safety option when all other options are exhausted in an in flight emergency, the CAPS should work the first attempt.
Engineers know that every modification to a system requires retesting of the essential functionality to predetermined criteria and this seems not be the case for the CAPS.
Why was the handle changed after 14 planes? Was it considered too weak?
It is my opinion, that the CAPS system should be fully retested, in-flight, to ensure that the chute does not only fire but that it will deploy and that the plane will not drop from the cables because of some “seemingly unrelated” design or production modification to the cable routing or structure.
PS
I also would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for all the COPA work and the valuable information I receive from all of the participants by reading all the interesting subjects. Keep up the good work. Waiting for #527Â……(long)