skydivepete

Probably your dentist can do it too. Pete

Are you claiming here Vigil/AAD did? Somebody died due to a serious quality control error. Some kind of relationship they bought....

A cutter without a knife is than on that side open and looks like the barrel of a gun. I think the fire that cause might damage the reserve seriously.

Yes but this is all about the same cutter replacement. I think it were 2, one in 2006 and one in 2010 (sept. or so)

I think you are wrong here. Argus replaced in 2006 and in September (?) 2010. Vigil had over the years 4 or 5 cutter changes and replacements.

No they are not unnoticed: http://viewer.zoho.com/docs/dcWbbA

It seems they do:

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=3969437 http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=3939871;search_string=cypres%20baum;guest=75191422#3939871 Other examples of failing cutters? Now we need to ground Cypres too. It seems to be this happens frequently.

The type 3 cutter also seems to have a problem now http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=3721248;search_string=vigil;#3721248

What about other brands of AADS? Does not happen the same?

Its from October 2006 French Parachute Federation Service bulletin CS 120 - the cable of the control unit of Vigil 1 does not resist unusual movement (translation) - que le câble de l’unité de contrôle du Vigil 1 ne résiste pas à des efforts inhabituels (original) Pete

Vigil has problems with its cables too (not able to handle simple movements) There was a service bulletin about that Pete

How did that happen? Pete

Where is the Argus in this debate?

Looks like the French have a different opinion. They published an open letter too: Paris 5 June 2008 OFFICIAL NOTICE ref PDA/2008.1207 Ladies and Gentlemen, On April 29, 2008 the company AAD published by email an open letter followed by a second one in English on June 2, 2008. These letters were published on line after the publication of the safety bulletins (CS N°156 and N°157) emitted by the French Parachute Association (FFP), and Airworthiness Directive CN 2008-005 published by the General Management of The French Civil Aviation Authorities (DGAC). These publications are concerning the Vigil automatic openers manufactured before August 1, 2006. The CS and CN were the result of a meeting between the manufacturer AAD, the DGAC, the DTN (National Technical Board), the CTP (Permanent Technical Committee) on April 9, 2008 at the seat of the FFP, concerning the problems with the Vigil AAD. One of the problems is the unwanted firings on the ground and in-flight. The AAD company confirms they know of 9 misfires world-wide , including 2 under open canopy, out of 4500 systems sold until 2005. In France alone, there were 5 misfires on less than 1000 systems built before August 2006, which represents an overall ratio of 1 bad system per 500. In-flight misfires with main canopy deployed can cause double canopy- openings and can result in serious injuries or death, in particular with fast canopies. As a precaution the FFP, representing the Ministry for Sports, recommended its members not to use this equipment anymore. According to the same principles, the DGAC in charge of parachutes and integrated equipment, prohibited use of these AADs. We deny strongly all accusations concerning lack of competence, dishonesty and partiality, on behalf of the FFP, as well its leaders as its staff. Consequently - the FFP acting as guardian of the safety and the interests of its members - will maintain its policy of protection of the users disregard the consequences for the manufacturer. Signed, Francois BOUTELOUP President Jean –Marc SEURIN National Technical Director