Primary finding
Probable cause
The airplane’s encounter with clear air turbulence, which caused a momentary loss of control and minor damage to the airplane.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The commercial pilot was maneuvering around clouds during a skydiving operation when the airplane abruptly made a steep bank to the left and continued to dive. He made control corrections to recover the airplane and soon after landed uneventfully. The pilot believed that he hit a patch of turbulence that caused the airplane to maneuver in such a manner. A postflight examination revealed wrinkles in the top skin of the airplane’s wings, which was later determined to be minor damage.
Source record
Factual narrative
The commercial pilot was maneuvering around clouds during a skydiving operation when the airplane abruptly made a steep bank to the left and continued to dive. He made control corrections to recover the airplane and soon after landed uneventfully. The pilot believes that he hit a patch of turbulence that caused the airplane to maneuver in such a manner. The pilot was a new skydiving pilot and was inexperienced with flying an airplane loaded with jumpers. The post incident examination revealed minor damage to the airplane.