Mastering Ballistic Parachute Systems Maintenance
By Rebekah Waters, FAA Safety Briefing Magazine
A pilot entered the clouds in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Around the same time, he experienced engine failure and the aircraft descended abruptly. With all the alert systems squawking, he didn’t have time to wonder if his ballistic parachute system was properly maintained and inspected. He only had time to make the split-second decision to deploy it and bring the aircraft down safely. If he had waited even 30 seconds longer, it could have been too late. He, and his passenger, escaped major injuries thanks to this system, and the story has a happy ending.
Ballistic parachute systems are designed to safely return an aircraft to the ground in the event of an emergency, such as engine failure, structural damage, or other hazards that might lead to a crash. The systems are launched by a solid rocket that fires at over 100 miles per hour and deploys a parachute in less than one second. They come installed standard on some Cirrus aircraft and can be installed on many other small aircraft, including helicopters.
These systems require regular inspection and maintenance as specified by the manufacturers. Mechanics must receive proper training on the maintenance procedures specific to the system installed on the aircraft they are inspecting and/or maintaining. Before beginning maintenance, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the emergency precautions related to the deployment and operation of the rocket to prevent major injuries or even death from accidental rocket activation.
When conducting a maintenance inspection, look for signs of wear, corrosion, or damage as directed by the manufacturer. Always follow the manufacturer-recommended replacement schedule for components such as the rocket motor, parachute, and lines. Just because it is sitting, unused, doesn’t mean it has maintained being in a safe condition for flight. These systems also need periodic testing. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions for testing. Don’t forget to document what you’ve done. Maintain detailed records of inspections, replacements, and any maintenance performed in the aircraft maintenance records.
Other required maintenance includes mandatory and unscheduled canopy inspections and repacks by the factory. This involves removing the parachute container from the aircraft for inspection and repacking them at regular intervals. These intervals vary depending on the style and whether the system is mounted internally or externally. Check the manufacturer recommendations for specific schedules. Unscheduled factory inspections are required in certain situations. These include signs of damage or tearing and any time the parachute is deployed, whether accidentally or intentionally. These systems must also be sent back to the factory whenever there is a breach of the inner cap on the canister or upper cap, or if the parachute itself has gotten wet or exposed to other contaminates. Finally, if there is any situation where you might be uncertain of the reliability of the unit due to any type of abuse, exposure, or wear, remove it and send it for an unscheduled canopy inspection and repack.
All rocket motors have an expiration date and must be replaced accordingly.
Rocket replacement is another important part of periodic maintenance. All rocket motors have expiration dates and must be replaced accordingly. These dates are printed on the placards on the sides of the parachute container and rocket. But don’t ship the rocket back! Without the proper packaging and documentation, it is illegal and dangerous to ship loaded rockets and propellant. Instead, contact the manufacturer for service instructions on how to safely disassemble and dispose of the rocket properly.
Even when inspected and maintained correctly, these systems have a maximum service life, so check with the manufacturer to know when the system will need to be replaced. Hopefully, most pilots won’t ever need to use this last resort feature. If the time does come to use it, it will be too late to make sure it’s in good shape. So, if you inspect an aircraft equipped with a ballistic parachute system, always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. Routine inspection and maintenance are crucial and could make the difference between life and death.
Rebekah Waters is an FAA Safety Briefing associate editor. She is a technical writer-editor in the FAA’s Flight Standards Service.
