Background
The accident occurred on 27 June 2004 at Beacon Village, near Honiton, Devon, involving a Cessna U206F Stationair, registration G-BGED. The aircraft was leased by a parachuting school at Dunkeswell Airfield and was modified for parachute operations. It was powered by a Continental Motors Corp IO-520-F piston engine. The pilot, aged 52, held a Private Pilot's Licence with 628 hours total flying experience (over 172 on type).
History of the Flight
The pilot conducted two earlier flights in G-BGED that day. On the first flight, around 1000 hrs, the alternator warning light illuminated during descent. The aircraft landed uneventfully. Witnesses later saw the engine cowling removed. A second flight occurred before midday, climbing to 10,000 ft. The pilot also flew the school's other Cessna 206 (G-ATLT) for a parachute flight.
Late in the afternoon, both aircraft prepared for a joint parachute drop at 10,000 ft. G-BGED took off from Runway 23 at about 1752 hrs with five parachutists: two single parachutists, a tandem pair, and a jumpmaster. The surface wind was westerly at approximately 10 kt. Weather included broken cloud and slight showers, with visibility 15-20 km.
Accident Sequence
Shortly after takeoff, the engine began to lose power. The pilot informed the jumpmaster, then flew east away from the airfield for about 6 nm, reaching a maximum height of approximately 1,100 ft agl before turning back. As power continued to diminish, the pilot informed the radio operator at 1800 hrs that he could not return. The operator notified police at 1802 hrs.
Survivors reported being told to brace and adopting a hands-on-head position while seated on the floor facing rearwards. The aircraft clipped tree tops and crashed steeply nose-down into a sloping grass field. Witnesses described the engine coughing, spluttering, and misfiring. The final witness reported clear and sunny conditions.
Injuries and Wreckage
The pilot, jumpmaster, and one single parachutist received fatal injuries. Two other occupants (the tandem instructor and one single parachutist) also sustained fatal injuries; the tandem instructor died later that night. Two survivors had serious injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. Fuel leaked from the right wing. Post-impact, the right wing front spar attachment failed and the nose wheel detached. Propeller blades showed no significant damage, indicating low engine power at impact.
Investigation
The AAIB conducted a field investigation. No probable cause is stated in the report. Nine Safety Recommendations were made.