Event Overview
A serious incident occurred on 25 July 2024 at approximately 13:00 UTC involving an Aerotech Slovakia SMG-92 Turbo Finist, registration HA-YDH, during a parachute jump operation at Thiene Airport (LIDH). The aircraft carried one pilot and three parachutists. No injuries were sustained, but the left stabilizer sustained leading edge damage.
Aircraft and Crew
The aircraft was an SMG-92 Turbo Finist, designed for parachute dropping. The pilot, an Italian national aged 54, held a Private Pilot License (PPL) with SEP/SET ratings on the Finist type and a valid parachute jump endorsement. He had 1,227 total flight hours, of which 850 were on the SMG-92 for parachute operations. Weather conditions were CAVOK.
Event Description
During the exit of one parachutist at Flight Level 145, the main parachute container opened unintentionally. The parachute deployed, dragging the parachutist and causing interference with the aircraft's tail. The parachutist cut away the main parachute and deployed the reserve. The pilot experienced a sudden loss of control lasting approximately 5–8 seconds, regained control, and landed without further issues. Post-landing inspection revealed a dent and torn skin on the left stabilizer leading edge.
Witness Testimonies
The pilot reported that during the exit phase, the aircraft became uncontrollable for a few seconds. After regaining control, he was informed by another parachutist that a jumper had slipped and hit the tail. He observed deformation on the horizontal stabilizer leading edge through the window and executed a low-speed descent and safe landing. The involved parachutist, an instructor with about 7,000 jumps, stated that as he positioned at the door, his main parachute container opened. The main canopy deployed, dragging him against the right horizontal stabilizer, where he hung momentarily before cutting away and deploying the reserve. He noted that the closing loop was intact upon landing.
Video Analysis
A helmet-mounted camera from another parachutist recorded the event. It showed the instructor making a semi-rotation anticlockwise while positioning at the door, possibly contacting the door frame. The main parachute container opened, followed by extraction of the deployment bag and bridle. The hand-deploy pilot was still stowed until after the container opened. The main canopy deployed, covered the fin, and wrapped around the left stabilizer leading edge. The instructor was dragged momentarily before cutting away. The video confirmed that the accidental opening was not caused by premature extraction of the hand-deploy pilot; it remained seated until after the container opened.
Cause
The serious incident was caused by the accidental opening of the main parachute, triggered by interference of the closure system of the task specialist's main parachute container with the aircraft structure, presumably occurring during positioning at the door for exit.