What happened
On September 13, 2014, a Cessna U206F, registration F-GGVC, was conducting skydiving operations near Tarbes Laloubère, France. After the first two jumpers had exited at 1,000 meters, the aircraft climbed to 3,000 meters for the remaining participants. As the final group prepared to exit, two jumpers positioned themselves at the aircraft's side door to perform a specific formation technique.
During this positioning, the reserve parachute of one jumper accidentally deployed. The deploying canopy interfered with the aircraft's horizontal stabilizer, causing structural damage and tearing away part of the tail section. The sudden loss of stability caused the aircraft to enter an uncontrolled inverted spiral. The pilot was unable to evacuate the aircraft before it struck the ground, resulting in one fatality and the destruction of the aircraft. The jumpers managed to land safely.
The investigation
Investigators analyzed wreckage and reviewed GoPro footage from a jumper's helmet, which captured the moments leading up to the accident. The footage revealed that the jumper was using a non-standard "floater" technique, involving pivoting against the door frame. During this movement, the jumper's parachute made contact with the upper door frame and the flexible door curtain.
Technical examination of the parachute showed a structural weakness: a crease on the transparent window of the reserve container cover had altered its rigidity. This allowed the locking needle to be pushed out of place when the jumper moved against the door frame. Furthermore, the investigation noted that the aircraft's door frame lacked the necessary reinforcements to safely support the specific exit technique being used, leading the operator to rely on a verbal instruction rather than a formal written restriction in the aircraft's manual.
Findings
- The primary cause was the accidental deployment of the reserve parachute caused by friction with the aircraft door frame during the jumper's exit maneuver.
- The deployment of the canopy led to the structural failure of the horizontal stabilizer and subsequent loss of control.
- The jumper was utilizing a non-standard exit technique that was not fully mastered and was not properly supported by the aircraft's physical structure.
- A failure in the parachute inspection chain meant that a potential weakness in the container's protective flap went undetected.
- The aircraft lacked a certified instructor (C-level jumper) on board during the 3,000-meter jump, violating established technical directives.
Safety action
Following the accident, an urgent recommendation was issued to prohibit "floater" type exits on aircraft that do not have reinforced door frames or approved handholds. In response, aviation authorities issued new instructions to operators to ensure all such restrictions are clearly identified and accessible to jumpers.