Incident Overview
According to the pilot's report, he had leveled the airplane at about 11,000 feet and established a speed of 80 mph with 10 degrees of flaps extended. When the last skydiver exited the airplane, its nose pitched up. The pilot pushed forward on the control wheel and added full engine power. He experienced difficulties in pushing the control wheel forward and thought a parachute caused the control issue.
Control Difficulties
The pilot subsequently used full nose-down trim to assist his control of the airplane. A witness in a chase airplane confirmed a bent right horizontal stabilizer. Assessing the deteriorating flight control situation, the pilot decided to jump out of the airplane over farmland and use his emergency parachute. The pilot observed the accident airplane spiral down as he descended under his parachute.
Witness Accounts
A skydiver reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions up to the time he exited. The last skydiver confirmed that his reserve canopy had deployed prematurely as he was leaving the step. The pilot reported no other mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.