What happened
On October 19, 2013, during the Tampa North Festival of Flight at Tampa North Aero Park (X39) in Florida, a Boeing B75N1 was conducting an aerial demonstration. The flight, operated under 14 CFR Part 91, involved an airline transport pilot and two parachutists. Prior to departure, the parachutists requested to stand on the aircraft wings rather than sit in the front seat, a plan the pilot accepted.
As the aircraft climbed, the parachutists were positioned on the lower surfaces of the wings, gripping handholds on the upper wing, without safety harnesses. Although the jump was briefed to occur at 2,800 feet mean sea level (msl), the parachutist on the right wing exited the aircraft at approximately 1,000 feet msl. The pilot, who was performing a left turn, observed the parachutist in a stable posture after departure but noted a delay in the deployment of the parachute canopy. The parachutist struck trees and the ground, resulting in 1 fatality. The pilot and the second parachutist were not injured. The aircraft, registration N653 and N65355, sustained no damage during the event.
The investigation
An examination of the aircraft's engine and airframe revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have prevented normal operation. The aircraft was powered by a Pratt and Whitney R985-AN3 motor.
Investigators examined the parachute system, which included a Javelin container, a Stiletto 150 main canopy, and a PR143 reserve canopy. The investigation found:
- The main parachute deployed, but lines showed damage consistent with impact with trees.
- The reserve parachute release handle showed signs of deployment after ground impact.
- The Automatic Activation Device (AAD) contained no stored data.
- There were no anomalies in the parachute equipment that would have prevented normal operation.
Forensic toxicology results for the deceased were negative for alcohol, drugs, and carbon monoxide.
Findings
- The parachutist departed the aircraft at a much lower altitude than the planned 2,800 feet msl.
- The parachutist delayed the opening of the parachute canopy.
- The parachutists were not wearing safety harnesses while positioned on the wings during takeoff and climb.