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) are life-saving aircraft parachutes but pose a significant hazard on the ground due to the undeployed rocket system.
The NTSB has issued a safety alert for first responders, emphasizing extreme caution around crashed aircraft with BPRS due to the risk of accidental rocket deployment.
First responders should look for warning labels, avoid cutting activation cables or touching the cockpit's T-handle, and be aware that fire or cable tension can also activate the rocket.
If a BPRS is identified at an accident site, responders must immediately contact the NTSB for manufacturer assistance in safely disarming 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.