Check Plastic Batten Clips

Safety Notice - Mar. 12, 2015

The DHV have released a recommendation that all plastic batten clips be carefully checked to ensure they are securely closed. There have been some instances of the clips opening in steeply banked downward turns (exceeding the manufacturers recommended operating limits: tilt 60 degrees and maximum 90 km/h), resulting in unrecoverable spiral dives.

The behavior was seen with an Icaro Mastr-M, but the clips in question were produced by Airborne and are used by other manufacturers. Note that debris in the clip may prevent it from completely snapping closed, even when it appears closed.

For more information, refer to the DHV website: M DHV 01-0444-09