page_title: Parachute
section_title: Malfunctions
hierarchical_section_title: Parachute / Malfunctions
caption_attribution_description: English: The capsule of Apollo 15 descends under only two good parachutes.
context_page_description: A parachute is a device used to slow the motion of an object through an atmosphere by creating drag. Parachutes are usually made out of light, strong fabric, originally silk, now most commonly nylon. They are typically dome-shaped, but vary, with rectangles, inverted domes, and others found. A variety of loads are attached to parachutes, including people, food, equipment, space capsules, and bombs.
  A drogue chute is used to aid horizontal deceleration of a vehicle including fixed-wing aircraft and drag racers, provide stability, as to assist certain types of light aircraft in distress, tandem free-fall; and as a pilot triggering deployment of a larger parachute.
context_section_description: Below are listed the malfunctions specific to round parachutes. 
  A "Mae West" or "blown periphery" is a type of round parachute malfunction that contorts the shape of the canopy into the outward appearance of a large brassiere, named after the generous proportions of the late actress Mae West.  The column of nylon fabric, buffeted by the wind, rapidly heats from friction and opposite sides of the canopy can fuse together in a narrow region, removing any chance of it opening fully.
  A "streamer" is the main chute which becomes entangled in its lines and fails to deploy, taking the shape of a paper streamer.  The parachutist cuts it away to provide space and clean air for deploying the reserve.
  An "inversion" occurs when one skirt of the canopy blows between the suspension lines on the opposite side of the parachute and then catches air. That portion then forms a secondary lobe with the canopy inverted. The secondary lobe grows until the canopy turns completely inside out.
  A "barber's pole" describes having a tangle of lines behind the jumper's head, who cuts away the main and opens his reserve.
  The "horseshoe" is an out-of-sequence deployment, when the parachute lines and bag are released before the bag drogue and bridle. This can cause the lines to become tangled or a situation where the parachute drogue is not released from the container.
  "Jumper-In-Tow" involves a static line that does not disconnect, resulting in a jumper being towed behind the aircraft.
caption: The Apollo 15 spacecraft landed safely despite a parachute line failure in 1971.
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