Incident Overview
A single-engine airplane departed Chilliwack Airport for a local skydiving flight, carrying 10 skydivers and one pilot. While cruising at an altitude of 13,000 feet, the pilot chute of a jumper holding on the outside of the aircraft for a group exit deployed prematurely.
Parachute Deployment and Stabilizer Separation
The premature deployment of the pilot chute caused the jumper's main parachute to deploy over the horizontal stabilizer, extracting the jumper from the aircraft. As the jumper passed the horizontal stabilizer, the wind force on the canopy removed the horizontal stabilizer from the aircraft.
Subsequent Events
Following the removal of the horizontal stabilizer, eight other jumpers exited the aircraft. The pilot briefly attempted to control the aircraft but was encouraged to leave by the last remaining jumper. The pilot then exited the aircraft and used his pilot emergency parachute.
Final Descent and Impact
The aircraft dove into the ground and crashed inverted onto the yard of a farmer's house. All 11 occupants were unhurt, and the airplane was destroyed.