Part 52, page 275

Transcript

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The FAA On Seatbelts

It is certainly recognized that a person experiencing an inadvertent parachute opening while secured by a safety belt would suffer serious or possibly fatal injury. On the other hand, we have evidence to show that accidents have been caused by jump occupants who were not wearing their safety belts. The Southern Region recently investigated two such accidents. The pilot in each case was unable to maintain control of the jump aircraft because the parachutists on board were not wearing their safety belts. What should have been nothing more than two minor incidents resulted in serious accidents through noncompliance with Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) 91.14.

It is our feeling that safety would suffer far more by allowing parachutists to ignore this rule than would be the case of requiring them to have their safety belts fastened during takeoff and landing. The chances of a pilot having to abort a takeoff run or make an emergency stop during landing will, I think, be greater than inadvertent parachute openings during takeoff and landing.

FAR 91.14 applies only during takeoff and landing. The rule does not prohibit unfastening safety belts after a takeoff has been completed; however, I would sincerely hope that jump aircraft pilots would request that safety belts be kept fastened until an altitude has been attained which would at least give the victim of an inadvertent parachute opening a fighting chance for survival.

Your interest in aviation safety is greatly appreciated and we will further explore this problem with the United States Parachute Association and others that we have contact with. It is hoped that you will continue to assist us in our efforts to keep the Federal Aviation Regulations realistic and effective.

James F. Rudolph Director, Flight Standards Service Federal Aviation Administration

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A BULLETIN FROM THE F.B.I.

Following is an artist's conception of the hijacker who extorted $200,000 from Northwest Airlines on November 24, 1971.

[Artist composite sketches: two front-facing views of a male suspect]

THIS MAN IS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:

Race . . . . . White Sex . . . . . Male Age . . . . . Mid 40's Height . . . . 5' 10" to 6' Weight . . . . 170 to 180 pounds Build . . . . Average to well built Complexion . . Olive, Latin appearance, medium smooth Hair . . . . . Dark brown or black, normal style, parted on left, combed back; sideburns, low ear level Eyes . . . . . Possibly brown. During latter part of flight put on dark, wrap-around sunglasses with dark rims Voice . . . . Low, spoke intelligently; no particular accent, possibly from Midwest section of U.S. Characteristics . Heavy smoker of Raleigh filter tip cigarettes Wearing Apparel . Black suit; white shirt; narrow black tie; black dress suit; black rain-type overcoat or dark top coat; dark briefcase or attache case; car- ried paper bag 4" x 12" x 14"; brown shoes.

If you have any information which might lead to the identity of this individual, please contact the nearest FBI Office which would be found in the front of your telephone directory.