What happened
During the final scheduled flight of the day, an aircraft was performing a parachute jump operation intended to drop eight individuals from 1,500 meters. Following takeoff, the aircraft climbed to an altitude between 400 and 500 feet before executing a sharp 180-degree left turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft entered a descending turn with a high bank angle and subsequently entered a steep dive. The aircraft leveled off slightly just before striking the ground. The impact tore the landing gear from the airframe, causing the aircraft to skid 48 meters on its belly and ignite a fire. All nine persons on board sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's configuration and the pilot's performance. No mechanical failures capable of causing the accident were found, and medical examinations showed no evidence of impairment in the pilot's physical or mental state. However, the investigation revealed that the aircraft's mass and balance were outside of approved limits. Additionally, the elevator trim was set in an abnormal position for takeoff. The investigation also noted that a seat had been moved to create distance between the pilot and passengers due to COVID-19 precautions, which prevented the pilot from performing an accurate mass and balance calculation.
Findings
Control of the aircraft was likely lost during the retraction of the wing flaps. This loss of control was exacerbated by high stick forces and reduced longitudinal stability caused by the abnormal elevator trim and a tail-heavy weight distribution. Because the aircraft was at such a low altitude during the maneuver, the pilot was unable to recover. The investigation concluded that the accident resulted from a series of operational safety slips and latent threats that had accumulated over time, significantly reducing the margin of safety.
Safety action
To address the identified risks, several recommendations were made:
- EASA should consider implementing formal training and a specific rating for pilots engaged in parachute operations.
- The Swedish Transport Agency should ensure that appropriate risk assessments are performed by pilots and that airport rescue response times are verified.
- The Swedish parachute association (SFF) should work with clubs to ensure all pilots receive mandatory safety information and training.