Sequence of Events
Two aircraft, a de Havilland DHC-6 and a Beech King Air 90, were conducting a formation skydiving flight at 14,000 feet mean sea level. The DHC-6 was designated as the lead aircraft, with the King Air following in trail. As the skydivers prepared to exit, the King Air was traveling faster than the DHC-6, requiring its pilot to pitch up and bank right to avoid a collision. During this maneuver, the King Air pilot lost sight of the DHC-6.
Collision and Rescue Attempt
Video footage captured by a skydiver showed that at the moment of exit, the King Air was positioned above, to the right, and ahead of the DHC-6. One of the skydivers from the King Air made contact with the right propeller of the DHC-6. Other skydivers observed the injured jumper spinning uncontrollably. One of them managed to catch the injured skydiver and deployed the reserve parachute, but the parachute failed to fully inflate because it had been cut by the propeller. The injured skydiver subsequently fell to the ground.
Aircraft Landing
Both airplanes landed without further incident. The operator noted that this was the first formation skydiving flight for either pilot in a multi-engine aircraft.