Sicherheitsmitteilung 011201
Datum: 10. Dezember 2001
Hersteller: Parachutes de France
Herstellerbulletin: E-Mail von Gaël Suze, Quality & After Sale Service Manager Parachutes de France SA
Betrifft: 43 mm Ø Inox Ringe
Betroffene Systeme: Parachutes de France Tandemsysteme mit BT80

Problem: Diese Ringe verformen sich durch harte Öffnungen

Maßnamen: Vor dem nächsten Sprung müssen diese Ringe Herstelleranweisung (A) nachgemessen werden Ringe innerhalb diesen Tolleranzen können weiter gesprungen werden. Sind die Ringe außerhalb eines dieser Maße (4mm max Höhenunterschied flach gemessen/1mm Unterschied Innendurchmesser) müssen die Ringe getauscht werden.
Alle betriebstüchtigen Ringe müssen nach Manual (minimal jeden oder alle 50 Sprünge) inspiziert werden. (B)

Status: Verpflichtend
Wirksamkeitsdatum: Sofort
Bemerkung: Parachutes de France hat eine Änderung an ihren BT80 um harte Öffnungen zu vorkommen. Dieses Update kann, für ältere BT80, bei Parachutes de France oder durch einen qualifizierten Fallschirmtechniker vorgenommen werden.
Beilagen:
(A) Anleitung zum Nachmessen
(B) 50 Sprünge 3 Ring Check aus Manual
(C) E-Mail von Gaël Suze, Quality & After Sale Service Manager Parachutes de France SA
Hersteller Bulletin [503 KB]

(A) Anleitung zum Nachmessen

(B) 50 Sprünge 3 Ring Check aus Manual

(C) E-Mail von Gaël Suze

E-Mail von Gaël Suze, Quality & After Sale Service Manager
Parachutes de France SA
Following our communication by phone, here is our technical analysis of V4
riser's first ring bending.

1- We first check all the tracking of material to see if any changement
occurred regarding the inox ring #43 mm:

- We received 6 different batches of ring #43 mm since 1994 which is the
introduction date
of Inox rings.

- The hardness of material is quite identical for each batch: absolutely
no modification of material's
nature and treatment appears since the beginning of production.

So, first conclusion is: ring's quality is not concerned.

2- After this tracking insurance, we carry out pulling force tests
simulating canopy abnormal openings and trying
to detect the level where the beginning of bending appears in a normal
"3-rings system" assembling.

- The tests show that the very beginning of bending start at 1500 DaN
(that means 7,5 G / 200 Kg load applied on one riser).

- the bending naturally increase with pulling force up to 2500 DaN which
is very close to the value
of system breakage.
( bartacks of locking loop, grommet's and second ring's attachment tape
breakage)

So, second conclusion is: abnormal openings occurred for generating the
ring's bending
(minimum 1500 DaN on one riser)
(only one riser that you sent us presents bend: the opening seems to be very
asymmetric, we reproduce the level
of bending of this riser at 2000 Dan : that means 10 G/ 200 Kg load applied
on one riser!)

3- After these results, we carry out tests to search an eventual defect for
the cutaway system's function while
increasing step by step the level of bending.

We assembled normally the cutaway system and make 4 tests at each step of
pulling force applied
to bend the first ring (step of 250 DaN, from 750 DaN up to 2500 DaN):

- a cutaway attempt with 25 DaN traction (simulating a main bag lock
configuration)
- a cutaway attempt with 600 DaN traction (simulating a rotation with 3 G
factor/ 200 Kg load)

We turn the ring at 90° from the bending axis ( the worse position of ring
in extension)

- we repeat the two cutaway attempt in this worse configuration.

All the cutaway succeeded , with a little delay for the last attempt
( traction 25 Dan , ring bent by 2500 Dan force applied)

Here is a photo to show you the level of bending at 2500 Dan:

So, third conclusion is: the bending of ring do not present risks of cutaway
malfunction until the force
applied do not reach 2500 Dan.
( after this level the riser will break, so cutaway function is not valid)

As for all our product, we always think about safety margin for our
customer.

That's why we now establish the following tolerances for the use of risers
with bent first ring:

Bending of first riser ring: 4 mm

Reduction of first riser ring's internal diameter : 1 mm

You will find in this attached file the method of measurement:

For information, we provide now upgrading on brand new BT80 which means new
design of
leading edge nose entering (this upgrading minimize the openings forces).

This upgrading is available in retrofit using two pieces of ZP fabric
stitched on leading edge
( As well in PDF factory loft or by external riggers ) and will be the
solution to avoid new or
increase of ring's bending .

Here is the Différent prices for repairs and upgrading:

- Main ring #43 on one V4 riser replacement: 50 Euros HT

- Kit of fabric for BT 80 leading edge upgrading: 26 Euros HT

- BT 80 leading edge upgrading in PdF loft: 133 Euros HT

Best regards,
Gaël Suze, Quality & After Sale Service Manager
Parachutes de France SA