All owners (users) of the Red Rocket Parachute Flare L-35 / L-35A (Pirolec) are advised to
take note of this Safety Alert.
In the night of January 1, 2023, a person on board a Dutch sailing ship on the Pacific Ocean died when he fired a flare.
The experienced sea sailor fired the flare, which complied with its requirements, in accordance with the instructions. The flare did not launch as intended, but exploded immediately, with fatal
consequences.
After becoming aware of the accident, the Dutch Safety Board started a preliminary investigation. From the initial analysis of the available information, the Dutch Safety Board has not yet been able to
determine whether this is a one-off accident or if a more structural problem exists. Given the nature of the incident, there is a risk that it is not a one-off incident.
Because of this risk, contact has been made with the manufacturer in Spain. The Spanish manufacturer has warned its customers in Spain and is recalling the specific batch. Because these
products are sold only in Spain, the warning of the Spanish manufacturer is aimed at Spanish customers (see later on). The accident, however, shows that owners (users) are also located outside
Spain. For example, Spain can be a final supply station for transatlantic or Mediterranean (sailing) trips.
With this warning, the SDM calls on all owners of Red Rocket Parachute Flare from Pirolec, type L-35/ L35A, batch 0525/2021 – 113, to not use these and to replace them.