CESSNA 208
Homestead, FL, December 7, 2008
Event Information
| Date | December 7, 2008 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| Location | Homestead, FL |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 25.49059, -80.51015 |
| Airport | Homestead General |
| Highest Injury | MINR |
| NTSB Number | ERA09CA082 |
| Event ID | 20081208X52321 |
Aircraft
| Make | CESSNA |
| Model | 208 |
| Registration # | N9639F |
| Operator | Skydive Miami |
| Owner | UMATILLA AVIATION INC |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 1 |
| None | 12 |
| Total Injured | 1 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The inadvertent deployment of the reserve parachute, resulting in the skydiver being prematurely pulled from the airplane and striking the horizontal stabilizer.
Full Narrative
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 the airplane. 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. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported that 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. The FAA inspector found the parachute to have a current inspection; no anomalies were found.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.