What happened
During the process of loading a medical patient into the cabin, the pilot neglected to position a tail stand beneath the rear section of the airplane. Without this critical support, the weight distribution shifted unexpectedly as the load was secured. Consequently, the rear of the aircraft settled downward, causing the fuselage to rest directly on the tail tie-down ring rather than remaining level.
The investigation
Following the incident, an operator mechanic inspected the airframe to assess the extent of the structural compromise. The inspection revealed significant deformation and damage to the aft section of the fuselage. To restore the aircraft to airworthy condition, the mechanic replaced the FS 427.88 bulkhead along with the associated tail tie-down assembly.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to this event was the failure to use a tail stand during the loading operation. This procedural omission allowed the unsupported tail section to drop under load, resulting in direct contact between the airframe and the ground-level tie-down hardware. The damage sustained required major structural repairs to the bulkhead and tie-down components.