Aircraft
Certification Service Washington, DC U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration
NE-08-29
June 16, 2008
This is information only. Recommendations
aren’t mandatory.
Introduction
This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) alerts you,
owners, operators, and riggers of reserve parachute harness containers
equipped with a VIGIL automatic activation device manufactured by AAD
nv/sa Advanced Aerospace Designs, of an airworthiness directive (AD)
issued by the Direction General de l’Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is
the aviation authority for France. These reserve parachute automatic
activation devices are not an appliance associated with a type
certificated product in the United States and, therefore, the condition
is not addressed by FAA AD action.
Background
The DGAC was made aware of several cases of the failure to open or
the uncommanded opening of reserve parachute harness containers. These
events may lead to a catastrophic result, in case of an uncommanded
opening within the dispatching aircraft, or failure to deploy during
the parachute jump. The DGAC issued AD F-2008-007 (attached), effective
upon receipt from June 3, 2008, prohibiting further use of certain
activation devices.
Recommendations
We recommend that all owners, operators, and riggers of a reserve
parachute harness container equipped with a VIGIL automatic activation
device perform the following, before the next jump:
Check the VIGIL automatic activation device manufacture date referenced on the identity card delivered by the manufacturer, AAD.
If this date is August 1, 2006, or
before, remove the VIGIL automatic activation device from the harness
container. These triggers should not be used.
If this date is after August 1,
2006, determine whether the VIGIL automatic activation device cutter is
made of stainless steel and the hole has a vinyl sleeve. If not,
replace the selector and the closing loop. This replacement should be
performed by a qualified person.
Record these actions in the parachute logbook.
For Further Information Contact
Jeffrey Lee, Aerospace Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification
Office, FAA, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803;
phone: (781) 238-7161; fax: (781) 238-7170; e-mail: Jeffrey.lee@faa.gov