Concerning the first production Forza harnesses manufactured in 2015 with the serial numbers: Forza-(size)-Q-31A-(???) to Forza-(size)-Q-49E-(???). There have been several cases of a reserve loop failure on the Forza harness. In all cases, one of the loops holding the reserve pin failed completely. There have also been some reported failures of loops that had previously passed the safety notice checks at 15kgs.
Earlier production batches of the Genie Lite 2 have been noted to have issues with the rescue handle. The rescue handle loop is too short for some models of rescue parachutes. This may cause the plastic wire pins to get stuck during deployment.
To rectify this, Gin have produced a loop extender (13cm). All current GIN stock has the loop extender included with the harness. Previously shipped harnesses did not come with this loop. If you require the loop extender, please contact your GIN distributor.
In addition, please ensure that your rescue has been installed according to the instructions in the Genie Lite 2 product manual. If in any doubt, please seek professional advice.
Supair: "Unexpected releases/openings of the aluminium self-locking chest strap buckle in flight were noticed on some Supair harnesses."
On 4th June 2016 German manufacturer Finsterwalder, who supply buckles to many paragliding, paramotoring and hang gliding harness manufacturers, issued an important safety notice for all harnesses equipped with their CLICK-LOCK and T-LOCK buckles, potentially rendering them unairworthy. If these buckles are more than four years old then there is a risk of accidental opening, therefore any harness equipped with them should not be flown. Finsterwalder say that thousands of harnesses from many manufacturers are affected.
A few handles have been found to have insufficient stitching which could result in the handle tearing during use, so Gin Gliders are recalling the entire production batch to ensure that the safety of pilots is guaranteed. If you bought one from us after June 2014, contact us for a replacement rescue handle (free of charge).
Read the full safety notice >
More info on the Gin Combi Container >
A pilot reported that the main rescue bridle failed at the shoulder connection points following a rescue parachute deployment on a Gin Genie Race 3 harness. Although the harnesses exceed the certification minima, Gin Gliders recommends connecting each main rescue bridle to the front rescue bridle connection point using steel maillons for added safety.
27/04/2015 Kortel Kolibri Harness rings
There is a potential problem on the forged rings of the Kolibri harness, which may break under load. The ring is not used in the main structure of the harness, it supports the lumbar and pelvic setting only.
For more details and serial numbers concerned, see the full safety notice.
31/03/2015: Supair have issued a safety notice regarding extraction problems for the reserve parachute handle of the WALIBI² and EVASION² tandem harnesses, the recommended solution for which is also worth considering if you have long hook and loop fastener strips on your reserve handle system.
Kortel have informed us of potential quality problems on some of their reserve handles. For more details, see here.
Skywalk have issued an urgent safety notice regarding all sizes of their ultra-lightweight paraglider, MASALA2.
When reverse launching a Skywalk Masala 2, a pilot had the rear riser (C / D) tear at the stitching with the B-riser. The pilot managed to abort take-off, and was unhurt.
Skywalk's investigation with the DHV has found that if enough force is applied in the opposing direction to normal flight then failure could occur.
All Skywalk MASALA2s must be checked by the manufacturer and must not be flown before then.
For more information, see the original safety notice in German here.
Download the safety notice in English here.
