Follows Special Report Findings Released Earlier This Month

On Thursday, the National Transportation Safety Board formally recommended the Federal Aviation Administration take a series of steps to make parachute operations safer. The action stems from the Board's findings in a special investigation report, released earlier this month, identifying several recurring safety issues with parachute jump operations, and recommending improvements in aircraft maintenance and pilot training.

The NTSB urged the FAA to:

• Require parachute jump operators to develop and implement Federal Aviation Administration-approved aircraft maintenance and inspection programs that include, at a minimum, requirements for compliance with engine manufacturers' recommended maintenance instructions, such as service bulletins and service information letters for time between overhauls and component life limits. (A-08-63)
• Develop and distribute guidance materials, in conjunction with the United States Parachute Association, for parachute jump operators to assist operators in implementing effective aircraft inspection and maintenance quality assurance programs. (A-08-64)
• Require parachute jump operators to develop initial and recurrent pilot training programs that address, at a minimum, operation- and aircraft-specific weight and balance calculations, preflight inspections, emergency and recovery procedures, and parachutist egress procedures for each type of aircraft flown. (A-08-65)
• Require initial and recurrent pilot testing programs for parachute jump operations pilots that address, at a minimum, operation- and aircraft-specific weight and balance calculations, preflight inspections, emergency and recovery procedures, and parachutist egress procedures for each type of aircraft flown, as well as competency flight checks to determine pilot competence in practical skills and techniques in each type of aircraft. (A-08-66)
• Revise the guidance materials contained in Advisory Circular 105 2C, Sport Parachute Jumping, to include guidance for parachute jump operators in implementing effective initial and recurrent pilot training and examination programs that address, at a minimum, operation- and aircraft-specific weight and balance calculations, preflight inspections, emergency procedures, and parachutist egress procedures. (A-08-67)
• Require direct surveillance of parachute jump operators to include, at a minimum, maintenance and operations inspections. (A-08-68)
• Conduct research, in conjunction with the United States Parachute Association, to determine the most effective dual- point restraint systems for parachutists that reflects the various aircraft and seating configurations used in parachute operations. (A-08-71)
• Once the most effective dual-point restraint systems for parachutists are determined, as requested in Safety Recommendation A-08-71, revise Advisory Circular 105-2C, Sport Parachute Jumping, to include guidance information about these systems. (A-08-72)

  

Additionally, the NTSB recommends that the United States Parachute Association:

• Work with the Federal Aviation Administration to develop and distribute guidance materials for parachute jump operators to assist operators in implementing effective aircraft inspection and maintenance quality assurance programs. (A-08-69)
• Once Advisory Circular (AC) 105-2C, Sport Parachute Jumping, has been revised to include guidance for parachute jump operators in implementing effective initial and recurrent pilot training and examination programs that address, at a minimum, operation- and aircraft-specific weight and balance calculations, preflight inspections, emergency procedures, and parachutist egress procedures, distribute this revised AC to your members and encourage adherence to its guidance. (A-08-70)
• Work with the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct research to determine the most effective dual-point restraint systems for parachutists that reflects the various aircraft and seating configurations used in parachute operations. (A-08-73)
• Once the most effective dual-point restraint systems for parachutists are determined, as requested in Safety Recommendation A-08-71, educate your members on the findings and encourage them to use the most effective dual-point restraint systems. (A-08-74)

FMI: Read The Full Recommendation Letters To The FAA Here And Here (.pdf). Read The NTSB's Recommendations To The USPA Here And Here.