[tzs]

> Perhaps the only incident I can think of where a parachute may have helped was US Airways 1549 [...]

Another is United 232, the Sioux City crash during a landing where all hydraulics had been lost, leaving the pilots with only differential thrust to steer with.

Perhaps TWA 800, if I'm recalling correctly that the explosion basically decapitated the plane leaving the passenger section largely intact.

Also maybe Aloha 243. That plane was able to land after a large chunk of the cabin blew out with no fatalities other than a crew member who was sucked out during the initial blow out, so like USAir 1549 a parachute would not have saved any lives in that particular incident. In that type of incident, though, it probably would have been a good option. Such incidents leave the pilots with a plane that is flying at the moment, but that has severe structural damage leaving them with no idea what maneuvers they can do without tearing it apart and no idea if it is even going to hold together in stable level flight. That would probably be an incident where your probabilities would be better with popping the 'chute.

[seanherron]

Those all happened at least 20 years ago - I was looking at things that have happened in recent history.