Aircraft structural failure during parachute jump near Lillo Aerodrome

2 fatalities • Lillo, Spain • Flight

An aircraft carrying eleven people experienced a structural failure and subsequent crash during a local skydiving operation, resulting in two fatalities.

What happened

During a local parachute jump operation departing from runway 30 at the Lillo (Toledo) Aerodrome, an aircraft carrying the pilot and ten skydivers experienced a sudden mid-air incident. The group included six instructor-student pairs prepared for tandem jumps. While cruising at an altitude of roughly 14,000 feet, the aircraft emitted the acoustic signal notifying jumpers that the jump was two minutes away. Immediately following this signal, the plane underwent a sudden, intense negative acceleration that forced two passengers toward the aircraft ceiling.

Once the aircraft stabilized its attitude, the left wing suffered a structural fracture and separated from the fuselage. This loss of structural integrity caused the aircraft to descend rapidly toward the earth. During the descent, nine of the skydivers were ejected from the plane; they successfully deployed their parachutes and landed safely. The aircraft continued its descent until it struck the ground 4.5 km north of the aerodrome, where it ignited. The resulting fire consumed the section of the plane from the firewall to the rear of the passenger cabin.

Findings

Upon impact, the pilot and one parachutist were unable to escape the wreckage and both died. Debris from the accident, including the detached left wing, various control surfaces, and portions of the horizontal stabilizer, was discovered scattered between 1.5 km and 2.5 km northeast of the primary impact zone. The investigation points to a sudden negative acceleration causing the left wing to fracture and detach as the primary sequence leading to the crash.

Probable cause

A sudden and intense negative acceleration caused the left wing of the aircraft to fracture and separate from the fuselage.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2008-05-30 Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter) accident near Lillo, Spain?

An aircraft carrying eleven people experienced a structural failure and subsequent crash during a local skydiving operation, resulting in two fatalities.

Were there any fatalities in the 2008-05-30 Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter) accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 2 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2008-05-30 involved a Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter), registration EC-JXH, operated by Skydive Lillo - Air Compluto, at Lillo, Spain.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

A sudden and intense negative acceleration caused the left wing of the aircraft to fracture and separate from the fuselage.

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