What happened
On November 17, 2001, at approximately 12:50 local time, a Cessna U 206 F Stationair, registered F-GPRM, was conducting skydiving operations near La Roche-sur-Yon, France. The flight was part of a club activity involving a pilot, a jumpmaster, and several skydivers.
While the aircraft was stabilized on its designated jump line, the first scheduled skydiver refused to exit the aircraft. To maintain the jump sequence, the jumpmaster instructed the second skydiver to take the lead position. During the movement of the participants to swap positions, the jumpmaster accidentally caught the automatic deployment strap of the first skydiver between the legs of the second skended skydiver.
As the second skydiver exited the aircraft, the strap remained trapped. This caused the first skydiver's parachute to deploy prematurely while still outside the aircraft, which subsequently ejected the skydiver from their position. The skydiver became entangled in the aircraft's horizontal stabilizer by the parachute lines. While suspended, the skydiver attempted to deploy their reserve parachute but initially struggled to locate the handle. Following instructions from the jumpmaster, the skydiver successfully deployed the reserve parachute. The force of this deployment caused a portion of the horizontal stabilizer to break away.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of movements within the cabin and the mechanical interaction between the skydivers and the deployment equipment. Investigators examined the cockpit and cabin configuration, the experience of the crew, and the specific actions taken when the first skydiver refused to jump. The investigation established that the crew had undergone necessary ground school and pre-jump briefings prior to the flight.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the inappropriate management of a refusal to jump, which led to the repositioning of passengers.
- The physical movement of the skydivers caused the automatic deployment strap to become caught between the legs of the second jumper.
- The premature deployment of the parachute led to the skydiver becoming entangled in the aircraft's tail section.
- The deployment of the reserve parachute exerted enough force to cause structural failure of the horizontal stabilizer.
- The aircraft sustained damage to both the horizontal stabilizer and the vertical fin, though the pilot maintained control and landed safely on the runway.