Nov 19, 2009 7:29 pm US/Pacific
FAA Investigates Acampo Skydiving Facility
ACAMPO (CBS13) ―
The FAA is investigating a local skydiving center, Parachute Center, some of its aircrafts and some individuals associated with the company.
From 14,000 feet above, Cynthia Lira landed one happy lady today, it's her birthday, and she spent it skydiving for the first time.
"I don't even know how to explain it, it was really fun though," says Cynthia.
Bill Dause opened the Parachute Center in 1964. Supporters, like the President of the United States Parachute Association, who skydived here, say the center in Acampo is reputable.
"He does run a very safe operation here, he does have a good track record here," says Jay Stokes, President, United States Parachute Association.
Lately though, tragedy has trumped the good times. In January, a woman was critically injured when she hit a pole while skydiving.
In September, Robby Bigley and Barb Cuddy died while performing a formation jump. They're parachutes became entangled, sending both of them spiraling to the ground. They were world record holders, some of the most experienced around. Their deaths were the sixth and seventh at the Parachute Center since 2000.
But this past Saturday, the nose wheel on one of the skydiving planes, collapsed shortly after landing, but no one was hurt. Now, the FAA is investigating.
Owner, Bill Dause, admits the FAA has cited him for a burnt tail light and a co-pilot seat that wasn't in the aircraft, which are two of several issues he calls 'minor.'
But, the FAA continues to investigate, and people like Cynthia continue to skydive at the Parachute Center.
The FAA could do one of three things in the end: They could give the owner a written warning, they might suspend his license, or worst case scenario would be to revoke his license.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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