Incident Overview
During a parachute operation, a parachutist climbed into the front float position. As they moved, the handle of their reserve parachute snagged on the aircraft's flap, causing the reserve pilot chute and main parachute to deploy. The parachutist, who was highly experienced, had performed gear checks before exiting and had attended safety seminars that included awareness of handle placement. They were also familiar with the front float position and had practiced it in a ground mock-up, but that mock-up lacked a flap, reducing the likelihood of recognizing the snag hazard.
Sequence of Events
As the parachutist was pulled rearward by the deploying parachute, they struck the camera operator, dislodging them from the aircraft and causing a minor shoulder injury. The parachutist's lower legs then struck the leading edge of the horizontal stabiliser, damaging it. The parachute became wrapped around the horizontal stabiliser and elevator, leading the pilot to experience difficulties controlling the aircraft.
Emergency Response and Landing
The parachutist carried a hook knife, which was not required but enabled them to cut themselves free from the aircraft. Without it, separation may not have been possible. The pilot, who was wearing an emergency parachute and had the roller door clipped open for egress, was able to maintain sufficient control to land the aircraft without further incident.
Weight and Balance Considerations
The parachuting club used manifest software that calculated aircraft weight including parachutists, but did not perform balance calculations to ensure the aircraft was within its center of gravity envelope. The pilot was not using an available electronic flight bag tool for weight and balance calculations, and the senior pilot was not ensuring this was done. There was no evidence that the aircraft was out of balance or that this contributed to the occurrence. However, the source notes that fatal accidents have occurred in parachute operations where aircraft were operated outside balance limits.
Hypoxia Risks
Hypoxia poses a risk to pilots and parachutists when operating above about 10,000 ft, with effects highly variable between individuals. Limited research exists on short, repeated altitude exposure in parachuting operations or additional risk from 2–3 minutes between 14,000 and 15,000 ft. Use of supplemental oxygen at and above 14,000 ft, as required by legislation, reduces hypoxia risks and any compounding effects of multiple ascents.