The flight was at 13,500 feet overhead the airport, preparing for the skydivers to jump. The pilot turned on the green light to initiate the jump. He then felt the aircraft shudder, but did not lose control of it. After most of the jumpers had left the airplane, one of the skydivers came forward and notified the pilot of damage to the tail. After a controllability check, the pilot landed the airplane without further incident. Structural damage to the left horizontal stabilizer was found after the flight. A skydiver was standing at the door of the airplane when his reserve chute inadvertently deployed, pulling the skydiver out of the airplane. The skydiver then struck the horizontal stabilizer after being pulled from the airplane.
December 7, 2008, Homestead, Fla., Cessna 208 Caravan
The flight was at 13,500 feet overhead the airport, preparing for the skydivers to jump. The pilot turned on the green light to initiate the jump. He then felt the aircraft shudder, but did not lose control of it. After most of the jumpers had left the airplane, one of the skydivers came forward and notified the pilot of damage to the tail. After a controllability check, the pilot landed the airplane without further incident.
Key Takeaways:
- During a skydive operation, a skydiver's reserve parachute inadvertently deployed, pulling them from the aircraft.
- The departing skydiver then struck the plane's left horizontal stabilizer, causing structural damage to the aircraft.
- The pilot, despite feeling a shudder, maintained control and safely landed the airplane after a controllability check.
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