Post by obi on Mar 24, 2011 15:00:38 GMT 1
DATE: March 22, 2011 SERVICE BULLETIN #20110322 # OF PAGES: 2
SUBJECT: Aviacom Argus AAD installation approval in United Parachute Technologies products (UPT).
STATUS: MANDATORY
BACKGROUND: Over the past three years and particularly in the last several months, there have been
documented reports from the field of Argus AAD firings where there was a failure to cut the reserve
locking loop. Aviacom, the manufacturer of the Argus, has been contacted concerning these incidents,
and to our knowledge to date, they have not yet identified the root cause of the problem, nor have they
suggested a solution.
With the UPT container design, this failure mode may interfere with or prevent manual activation of the
reserve parachute system. When the AAD cutter is located BELOW the reserve pilot chute, as it is in
UPT harness and container systems, if the cutter fails to sever the loop completely, pulling the reserve
ripcord will launch the reserve pilot chute, but may interfere with the deployment sequence and cause a
significant delay or possible container lock, which could result in a fatality.
Based upon a field report stating that a pilot chute came out unexpectedly on the ground, there is a
potentially serious safety issue in that a partially cut loop could go unnoticed for many more jumps
throughout the day with an inoperable AAD and its potential for the interfering with the normal
deployment sequence when manually activated.
In light of the seriousness of the aforementioned potential scenario, UPT is hereby withdrawing
approval of the installation of Argus AADs in any and all of their harness and container systems. This
action will remain in effect until such time as Aviacom has identified the root cause of the cutter failure
mode and has developed a proven and tested solution to resolve it to our satisfaction and until further
notice.
14 CFR Part 65.129(e) states that "No certificated parachute rigger may PACK, maintain, or alter a
parachute in any manner that deviates from the procedures approved by the administrator or the
manufacturer of the parachute." UPT no longer approves any procedures to install the Argus AAD in
UPT products, and hereby rescinds any prior approved procedures to do so. Because of this
cancellation of the approval of the installation of the Argus AAD in UPT products, it could now be a
violation of 14 CFR Part 65.129(e) if a certificated parachute rigger were to pack a UPT harness and
container system with an Argus AAD installed. It could also be a violation of 14 CFR Part 65.129(b), if,
because of the installation of an Argus AAD, a parachute were to be deemed by the FAA to not be safe
for emergency use.
SERVICE BULLETIN: All users of an Aviacom Argus equipped UPT harness and container
system should remove the Argus AAD from their system, prior to making ANY further jumps
with the system.
COMPLIANCE DATE: March 22, 2011
AUTHORITY:
Mark Procos, General Manager
United Parachute Technologies LLC
1645 Lexington Avenue
DeLand, FL 32724-2106 USA
Telephone: +1 386 736 7589
FAX: +1 386 734 7537
Email: mark@uptvector.com
DISTRIBUTION:
1. All UPT Dealers
2. National Aero Clubs, Parachuting Section
3. Parachute Industry Association Technical committee
4. Parachute Industry Association Rigging Committee
5. All Parachuting publications
6. Military Parachute Organizations
7. FAA MIDO
8. Aviacom
Sincerely,
Rosi Sigmon
United Parachute Technologies
SUBJECT: Aviacom Argus AAD installation approval in United Parachute Technologies products (UPT).
STATUS: MANDATORY
BACKGROUND: Over the past three years and particularly in the last several months, there have been
documented reports from the field of Argus AAD firings where there was a failure to cut the reserve
locking loop. Aviacom, the manufacturer of the Argus, has been contacted concerning these incidents,
and to our knowledge to date, they have not yet identified the root cause of the problem, nor have they
suggested a solution.
With the UPT container design, this failure mode may interfere with or prevent manual activation of the
reserve parachute system. When the AAD cutter is located BELOW the reserve pilot chute, as it is in
UPT harness and container systems, if the cutter fails to sever the loop completely, pulling the reserve
ripcord will launch the reserve pilot chute, but may interfere with the deployment sequence and cause a
significant delay or possible container lock, which could result in a fatality.
Based upon a field report stating that a pilot chute came out unexpectedly on the ground, there is a
potentially serious safety issue in that a partially cut loop could go unnoticed for many more jumps
throughout the day with an inoperable AAD and its potential for the interfering with the normal
deployment sequence when manually activated.
In light of the seriousness of the aforementioned potential scenario, UPT is hereby withdrawing
approval of the installation of Argus AADs in any and all of their harness and container systems. This
action will remain in effect until such time as Aviacom has identified the root cause of the cutter failure
mode and has developed a proven and tested solution to resolve it to our satisfaction and until further
notice.
14 CFR Part 65.129(e) states that "No certificated parachute rigger may PACK, maintain, or alter a
parachute in any manner that deviates from the procedures approved by the administrator or the
manufacturer of the parachute." UPT no longer approves any procedures to install the Argus AAD in
UPT products, and hereby rescinds any prior approved procedures to do so. Because of this
cancellation of the approval of the installation of the Argus AAD in UPT products, it could now be a
violation of 14 CFR Part 65.129(e) if a certificated parachute rigger were to pack a UPT harness and
container system with an Argus AAD installed. It could also be a violation of 14 CFR Part 65.129(b), if,
because of the installation of an Argus AAD, a parachute were to be deemed by the FAA to not be safe
for emergency use.
SERVICE BULLETIN: All users of an Aviacom Argus equipped UPT harness and container
system should remove the Argus AAD from their system, prior to making ANY further jumps
with the system.
COMPLIANCE DATE: March 22, 2011
AUTHORITY:
Mark Procos, General Manager
United Parachute Technologies LLC
1645 Lexington Avenue
DeLand, FL 32724-2106 USA
Telephone: +1 386 736 7589
FAX: +1 386 734 7537
Email: mark@uptvector.com
DISTRIBUTION:
1. All UPT Dealers
2. National Aero Clubs, Parachuting Section
3. Parachute Industry Association Technical committee
4. Parachute Industry Association Rigging Committee
5. All Parachuting publications
6. Military Parachute Organizations
7. FAA MIDO
8. Aviacom
Sincerely,
Rosi Sigmon
United Parachute Technologies
