What happened
During the climb to jump altitude, an individual inside the aircraft inadvertently opened their parachute. This sudden deployment created significant drag that pulled the jumper out of the aircraft. As the person exited, they struck the right horizontal stabilizer of the aircraft.
The impact with the tail caused a loss of control. The pilot and the other three occupants on board immediately exited the aircraft and deployed their own parachutes. All four individuals landed safely without injury. The aircraft, now uncontrollable, impacted the ground in a vertical or near-vertical dive.
The investigation
The factual narrative indicates that the primary mechanical failure was not an internal malfunction but an external impact caused by the ejected jumper. The sequence of events suggests that the structural integrity of the horizontal stabilizer was compromised upon contact with the exiting person, leading to immediate loss of control authority.
Findings
The critical factor in this accident was the inadvertent opening of a parachute while the aircraft was still in flight. This action resulted in the ejection of a jumper who then struck the right horizontal tail. The collision with the tail surface led to a complete loss of control, necessitating the emergency exit of all remaining occupants. The aircraft sustained catastrophic damage upon impact with the ground.
Safety message
This incident highlights the critical importance of securing parachutes and ensuring that jumpers are properly restrained during climb phases. Inadvertent deployment can create immediate hazards not only to the jumper but to the structural integrity of the aircraft and the safety of all occupants.