Basejumper.com - archive

I just got this from the USPA. Hopefully someone starts a "Help Bill" account.

Non-USPA Drop Zone Cited for Unsafe Operations
The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a $664,000 civil penalty against Bill Dause, owner of the Parachute Center in Acampo, California, for allegedly flying a DHC-6 Twin Otter on more than 2,600 flights when critical parts were well past their life limits and without complying with FAA Airworthiness Directives. “Putting parachutists at risk by neglecting to follow safety procedures is unacceptable,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We expect aircraft operators to comply with our safety rules and will take enforcement action when they do not.”

Specifically, the FAA alleges that the Parachute Center operated a Twin Otter with life-limited elevator and aileron control cables that were overdue for replacement and without conducting required visual inspections of the wing main spar, lower spar cap extensions and wing support strut for possible corrosion.

“Passengers and crew have to be able to trust that an operator has done the right thing and has complied with all the rules,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “Safety and compliance are the right choices, every time.”

The Parachute Center is not affiliated with USPA as a Group Member DZ. Dause declined to comment when contacted by USPA staff. The Parachute Center was given 30 days from receipt of the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond. The FAA press release can be viewed here.

 
I would venture a guess that Bill has been around long enough to have previously known about the government and its rules and fines. I can't imagine this would've been left out of his considerations for as long as he's been in business.

Thats why I hate flying!

Wow, I just took a quick peek over there @ the skydive.com & there are like 7 pages of fucking whining on crucifying Bill for overdue inspections . So I very Quickly came back here as No real Base jumper should be over there reading that bullshit anyway .
Could not even get into reading all that shit . If your scared to fly in a Twin Otter that is over due on inspections. Then you sure the fuck don't need to go BASE jumping . The FFA clasifies a Skydiver as one-way baggage & Everyone thinks they 'Deserve Safety' on there 15 minute elevator ride to altitude .
Most (i think) that Skydive Post & Read over there cant even comprehend why even a DZ owner would choose to drop membership from USPA, or consider jumping from one that was not in the USPA organization. Bunch of Crybabies, all of them.
.

 
They are a bunch of whiney cry babies but the FAA has a point here. I happion to know a pilot that looked out his window and noticed the engion narcell porpussing beside him comeing back from a boogie cross country. The whole damn wing was fluttering. He nearly shit him self. It calmed down when he throtaled back and lifted the nose to slow down but by all rights he should be dead. Flutter can rip peaces off an airframe in short order. And yes it turns out the rigging had streatched. The truth is that thouse AD's are generally written on grave stones and we fly our planes harder then almost any one else out there. There are some things that we of all people should stay on top of.

I do hope that he gets out of this with his hide intact.

Lee

That's why I love basejumping.

Cliffs don't crash.

Ther's three sides to every story, and if you're buying the Fed's, then you ain't a BASE jumper!

Great nugget!

I take it you've never jumped at the Landslide over here then

Hi Ray, my brother. I had no idea you were still kicking it. But I understand your post. No FAA to Tso the rock you jump off.. Hope to see you soon. there is an old school (skydivers) get together Thursday, December 23 at 7:00pm @ Sam's Billiards.
Hope you can make it...

Or the big slabby rock in the Sierras that nuked Happy Isles and Curry Village...or the big Bernese pile of loose limestone.