Incident Overview
On an unspecified date, a Piper PA-28, registration N3011F, was conducting a visual flight rules (VFR) cruise eastbound at approximately 5,700 feet mean sea level (MSL). Simultaneously, a Cessna 210, functioning as a parachute jump plane, had just completed a clearing turn to a westbound heading at 7,300 feet MSL. A parachutist exited the jump plane and, after a few seconds of free fall, struck the vertical stabilizer of the PA-28.
Sequence of Events
Following the collision, control of the PA-28 was lost, and the aircraft descended uncontrolled until it crashed. The jump plane was in radar and radio communication with air traffic control (ATC) to receive traffic advisories, as per the FAA ATC Controller's Handbook. The PA-28 was also recorded on radar. However, after the jump pilot called "1 minute prior to jump," no advisories were issued by ATC.
Communications and Charting
Examination of the PA-28's avionics revealed that one of its transceivers was tuned to 120.30 MHz. A warning for parachute jumping activity had been broadcast over this frequency. Additionally, the sectional chart displayed a 1/8-inch parachute symbol, colored blue, which was superimposed over a river depicted in the same color.
Air Traffic Control
The controller handling the situation was receiving on-the-job training from a full performance controller.