Primary finding
Probable cause
the inadvertent and premature deployment of the jumper's reserve parachute as he exited the aircraft.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The aircraft was damaged when a sport parachutist collided with the horizontal stabilizer while exiting the aircraft at 13,000 feet msl. According to statements from the pilots and other jumpers on board the aircraft, the injured jumper's reserve parachute deployed as he exited the door. The parachute momentarily draped over the left leading edge of the horizontal stabilizer, then as the canopy deployed, the jumper was pulled over the horizontal stabilizer.
Source record
Factual narrative
On November 6, 1994, at 1409 Pacific standard time, a Beech 65- 90, N276VM, was damaged when a sport parachutist collided with the horizontal stabilizer while exiting the aircraft at 13,000 feet msl near San Diego, California. The aircraft, owned and operated by Nuway, Inc., of Wilmington, Delaware, was engaged in parachute jump operations under contract to Air Adventures, San Diego, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft incurred substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer skin, spar, and stabilizer attach points. The jumper who collided with the aircraft sustained serious injuries; however, the 2 airline transport pilots and the remaining 11 parachutists on board were not injured. The flight originated at Brown Field, San Diego, California, at 1350 on the day of the accident. According to statements from the pilots and other jumpers on board the aircraft, the injured jumper's reserve parachute deployed as he exited the door. The parachute momentarily draped over the left leading edge of the horizontal stabilizer, then as the canopy deployed, the jumper was pulled over the horizontal. -