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:

The NTSB has issued a safety alert regarding the on-scene hazards of Ballistic Parachute Recovery Systems (BPRS) due to the potential for undeployed rockets to accidentally fire post-crash.
First responders are advised to approach BPRS-equipped aircraft cautiously, avoiding areas with warning labels, and refraining from cutting activation cables or moving the cockpit's T-handle to prevent accidental deployment.
The BPRS rocket can activate unexpectedly due to impact, fire, or tension on the system's cables, necessitating clearance of nonessential personnel from the area.
Upon identifying a BPRS at an accident site, immediate contact with the NTSB's 24/7 Response Operations Center is crucial for manufacturer assistance and guidance on safely managing the system.

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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.