SAFETY BULLETIN
SB No.: SB-METIS4-2025-01
Date of Issue: 1 November 2025
Subject: Mandatory Inspection and Replacement of Main Lines
Applicability: Tandem Glider METIS 4
Status: MANDATORY
Compliance Deadline: 30 May 2026
1. PURPOSE
The purpose of this Safety Bulletin is to inform all pilots, operators, and owners of the tandem glider METIS 4 that the line set must be regularly inspected, and that main lines shall be replaced whenever their strength no longer meets the original specifications.
Routine inspections shall be conducted after every 100 flights.
This action is intended to prevent line failure leading to loss of control, reserve parachute deployment, injury, or equipment damage.
2. BACKGROUND
Several incidents have been reported during the execution of special maneuvers with the tandem glider METIS 4, in which main lines failed under load, resulting in forced reserve parachute deployments by pilots and passengers.
As flight safety remains the highest operational priority, this Safety Bulletin has been issued to ensure that all operators and maintenance personnel take the necessary corrective actions to maintain continued airworthiness and operational safety.
3. DESCRIPTION OF THE ISSUE
The main lines, manufactured from Kevlar, are subject to:
• Overloading during flight maneuvers
• Mechanical abrasion or surface damage
• Natural degradation of material properties over time
These degradation mechanisms reduce the load-bearing capacity and service life of the lines, potentially resulting in line rupture and consequent loss of control.
4. RISK ASSESSMENT
Severity: Major
Probability: Occasional
5. REQUIRED ACTIONS
All operators and maintenance personnel shall:
1. Contact the manufacturer or an authorized service center to arrange a regular inspection of the complete line set.
- If the main lines are found to have insufficient residual strength, obtain a complete replacement set at cost price, together with installation instructions.
2. Inspect all lines prior to every flight for evidence of wear, mechanical damage, discoloration, or fraying.
3. Operate the glider only when all lines are confirmed to be in airworthy condition.
4. Replace the line set immediately if there is any doubt about its condition or strength.
6. COMPLIANCE
Effective Date: 1 November 2025
Action Status: Mandatory
Deadline for Compliance: 30 May 2026
Repetitive Action: Line set inspection required every 100 flights
7. REFERENCES
Manufacturer’s Maintenance and Inspection Manual.
8. CONTACT INFORMATION
For further information, technical support, or reporting of findings, please contact:
Sky Paragliders a.s.
Email: info@sky-cz.com
