Following a fatal aerotow accident the
initial investigations into the accident have yielded the following course of events which
led up to the accident:
during take of, at a height of approx. 20 meters, a flap of the external parachute
container integrated into the harness and only held closed with a velcro strip became
open. The parachute fell out over the front of the control bar. The tightening connection
bridle pulled the control bar backwards and the hang glider crashed to the ground.
The harness was an OK Integral (fish-typ looking) from the company
Keller Martigny S.A, SHV Type test 011-83. With regards to the parachute container there
are well founded doubts as to the airworthiness of this harness, which was tested in 1983.
According to today’s construction regulations it must not be possible for the
parachute to become free on its own accord. A simple velcro closure can not provide this
guarantee without an additional cotterpin system. The same holds for other harnesses with
unsecured velcro closure.
Therefore the DHV has reached the following safety measures in
accordance with § 25 of the operating regulations for equipment used in flight:
- All hangglider harnesses which have integrated parachute containers closed by velcro
without an additional cotterpin system are declared to be unsuitable for flight with
immediate effect if the emergency container is used.
Note:
The use of
the harness is still permitted if the the integrated external parachute container is not
used, and instead, the external container associated to the parachute is attached to the
harness in a proficient manner and has the additional
security of an cotterpin.
Independent there of this airworthiness clarification will be cancelled if proof of
airworthiness is shown in a design test – for example after a design change.
Gmund, 17.04.2000
Klaus Tänzler
Managing Director | 
