Incident Overview
A pilot reported that during cruise flight at an altitude of 5,000 feet above ground level, he had reduced speed to 70 mph. The passenger stated that she was taking off her headset and moving her seat backward to capture a photograph. The pilot then heard what he described as a yell and simultaneously felt wind and noise entering the cabin. Looking toward the sound, he observed the passenger partially outside the airplane. When their eyes met, she jumped.
Flight Path Verification
Review of air traffic control transcripts confirmed that the pilot departed from and returned to the departure airport without any intermediate stops during the flight.
Prior Similar Incident
A separate pilot submitted a letter to the Safety Board describing a similar event that occurred four days before this flight, involving the same passenger. During that earlier flight, the passenger unlatched the door gunner's safety belt while seated on the floor with her feet placed outside the aircraft on the landing gear. At that time, she was wearing a parachute equipped with a hidden automatic opener on the reserve parachute. A safety crewmember subsequently pulled her back into the airplane and restrained her for the return flight.
Passenger Background
The passenger's airman and medical certificates had been revoked on August 12, 1991. The revocation was based on her failure to disclose a history of, among other conditions, a personality disorder and the use of numerous prescribed medications.