What happened
On a scheduled skydiving flight departing from Grenchen Airfield at 13:48 local time, a single-engine aircraft was carrying one pilot and 11 passengers. After climbing for roughly 14 minutes, the plane reached an altitude of approximately 3,700 metres. The passengers began exiting the aircraft through the left-side door in groups.
Following the exit of the first nine skydivers, the final two passengers prepared to jump simultaneously. These individuals positioned themselves at the front and rear door frames, both facing toward the rear of the plane. During this process, the reserve parachute of the passenger positioned toward the rear of the aircraft deployed accidentally. This deployment pulled the individual out of the plane, and during the exit, the passenger struck the aircraft's horizontal stabilizer.
The impact severed the horizontal stabilizer from the airframe, rendering the aircraft uncontrollable and initiating a steep descent. The final passenger exited the aircraft before the impact. The aircraft subsequently crashed in an open field located 900 metres from the airfield, resulting in the total destruction of the plane. The pilot was the sole 1 fatality recorded in the accident.
Findings
- The accidental deployment of a reserve parachute during the jump sequence led to a collision with the aircraft structure.
- The structural failure of the horizontal stabilizer caused the loss of flight control.