[11-Jan-02] DHV write the following on their page at http://www.dhv.de/english/sicherheit/index.html
One harness
carabiner Parafly Automatic by Austrialpin broke while starting
a paraglider.
This carabiner has been used permanently over a period of three years
in DHV testflights. After a material investigation it turned out that
in all probability the nickel-chromium surface finishing initiated cracks
to the aluminium-carabiner material. Over the period of use the cracks
within the aluminium-carabiner material increases and resulted finally
in the total failure of the carabiner.
In agreement with the manufacturer AustriAlpin the DHV has decided on the following precautionary safety measure:
All harnesscarabiners Parafly Automatic by Austrialpin, which surface finishing is made of a bright chromiumsurface must not be used anymore. (see pictures below)
This type of harnesscarabiner is available with different surface finishing,
exclusively affected on this problem are the one´s with the bright
chromiumsurface. In case of any doubt, in identifying the defective
carabiner with the bright chromiumsurface, the manufacturer Austrialpin,
Industriezone C 10, A-6166 Fulpmes, e-mail: office@austrialpin.at,
Tel.: 0043-5225-65248-0 has to be contacted.
The airworthiness instruction comes into force when published in the NFGH (paragliding and hanggliding news). The safety measures must be carried out before the next flight with the equipment.