[DesertRhino]

I read that a test pilot said, “the Piper Cub is the safest of all planes,,, It can just BARELY kill you”.

[freepersup]

Twas my first thought until I learned that the a/c was a single engine powered (guessing by the looks) Cirrus. Stall speed of 60 knots with full flaps is about 68 mph. If the pilot lost an engine prior to landing, and it seems that he did, then the airspeed was likely higher, therefore the impact speed was likely higher too. Going into trees at 68 mph or more likely, a much higher speed, would not/did not bode well.

A Cub's stall speed is about 33 knots or 38 mph dirty. That's just about half the speed of the Cirrus. Injuries likely? Yes. But, a chance to live another day is possible depending on the many variables acting upon the a/c at impact.

The Cirrus pilot would have had to put the nose down if he lost an engine in order to maintain airspeed. The prospect of eventually immediately flying into trees as one tries to maintain control is an awful option in 'trying' to keep a bird flying.

Out of air, out of time, out of envelope.