Riggers Committee - British Parachute Association

As a result of this incident Mike Bolton had proposed that all Tandem Student harnesses be
equipped with securing pins as a mandatory requirement to prevent possibly a repeat incident
occurring in future. Mike had stated that if this proposal was accepted, the necessary
modifications to incorporate the pins could be made over a suitable timescale.
The Chair reported that at the Riggers Committee meeting of 11 August 2005, the Committee had
accepted a mod for locking pins produced by Bill Sharp. This mod had been accepted for general
use on any student harnesses that have the same butterfly snap hooks as the Sigma (part nos:
MS22042, MS22042-1, MS70121). A copy of the mod was tabled for information.
A letter from Rick Boardman supporting Mike Bolton’s proposal had also been tabled to those
present.
Rick Boardman had stated that this subject had been debated at length by Riggers and STC in
2009 following a similar incident, and there being a suitable mod in place, Rick had proposed that
the use of locking pins be made a mandatory requirement. Although the Riggers Committee had
voted in favour of this proposal, CCIs after much deliberation had not agreed and had voted
against the proposal (by a large majority) as they believed the incident to be an isolated case.
They felt that if Tandem Instructors carried all the necessary checks prior to exit they saw no
reason why anyone should find themselves in freefall with a hook undone. At the subsequent
Council meeting, Council had asked STC to revisit this decision, which they had done and had
again voted against making the use of locking pins mandatory.
There then followed a lengthy discussion on this subject. A number of Riggers present stated
that they were concerned that we could be reacting to an incident to which it had not yet been
established as to how it had actually occurred.
The discussion then focused on the Association’s accepted modification for locking pins and
some concern was expressed that if the holes were not drilled correctly into the butterfly snap
hooks then further damage to the hook area could occur. It was also noted that not all pins
were suitable with all hooks and some Riggers present believed it was an engineering feat to
match up the hooks and locking pins in a suitable way that did not alter the strength and
integrity in this area.
It was felt that perhaps the Committee could consider developing an alternative method for
locking pins, which did not alter the integrity of the hook area. However, they acknowledged
that there was an accepted mod, which if carried out correctly was fine to use.
Following further discussion, the Committee felt that the decision as to whether or not the use
of locking pins be made mandatory was a matter for STC. However, they were not opposed
to the principle of having some form of safety feature/locking pin, but they were concerned that
there may be further implications involved.
4. PERMISSION TO RUN 2 RIGGING COURSES AT NETHERAVON
A request to host two Rigging Courses at Netheravon from 18 – 22 December 2012 and 5 – 9
January 2013 has been received by George Panagopoulos, a copy of which has been circulated
with the Agenda.
George has stated that there would be two Rigger Examiners present throughout each Course.
George had also reported that at this time both Courses were fully subscribed.
It was proposed by George Panagopoulos (proxy) and seconded by Pete Sizer that the above
request be accepted.
Carried Unanimously
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