NTSB Issues BPRS Warning for First Responders

Agency releases alert about explosion risks from undeployed Ballistic Parachute Recovery Systems at crash sites.

Meg Godlewski

Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 04:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

NTSB logo and image [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

Ballistic Parachute Recovery Systems (BPRS) can save lives in air emergencies but pose significant hazards on the ground due to their undeployed rocket, leading the NTSB to issue a new safety alert for first responders.
First responders must identify BPRS by warning labels, avoid the rocket's exit path, and exercise caution to prevent accidental activation by not cutting activation cables or manipulating the cockpit's T-handle.
The NTSB advises immediately contacting them if a BPRS-equipped aircraft is involved in an accident to assist with manufacturer contact and disabling procedures, as fire or a deployed, still-attached chute can also create hazards.

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A Ballistic Parachute Recovery System (BPRS) is a fancy name for a parachute attached to an aircraft that can save lives when there is an uncommanded loss of engine power or the aircraft enters a spin. But on the ground, the undeployed BPRS can be dangerous due to the rocket that fires to deploy the parachute.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Office of Aviation Safety has released a new safety alert—On-Scene Hazards of Ballistic Parachute Recovery Systems—to help pilots and first responders recognize and address the potential danger.