Primary finding
Probable cause
The inadvertent deployment of a skydiver's parachute, which struck the right horizontal stabilizer.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
As a skydiver was exiting the airplane, his parachute inadvertently deployed and struck the right horizontal stabilizer. He deployed his reserve parachute and landed without further incident. After all the skydivers had exited the airplane, the pilot saw that the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator were damaged. After an uneventful landing, postaccident examination revealed the right stabilizer spar was bent.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 28, 2012, about 1100 central daylight time, a Cessna 172D, N8882X, was substantially damaged when a skydiver's parachute deployed prematurely and struck the right horizontal stabilizer near Rose Hill, Kansas. The pilot was not injured. All three skydivers parachuted to safety. The airplane was registered to and operated by Myrtle Aviation, Inc., of Wichita, Kansas, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a skydiving flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed. The local flight originated from Cook Airfield (KK50), Rose Hill, Kansas, approximately 1035. According to the pilot’s accident report, a skydiver had an inadvertent deployment of his parachute while exiting the airplane at 11,500 feet mean sea level. The skydiver deployed his reserve parachute. Two other skydivers departed the airplane without incident. After all the skydivers had exited the airplane, the pilot saw that the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator had been damaged. He configured the aircraft for landing, performed controllability checks, and made an uneventful landing. Post-accident examination revealed the right stabilizer spar was bent.