What happened
On 6 April 2011, a Cessna 206 Stationair, registration ZS-CVA, departed from Delta 200 (FADX) in the Western Cape for a scheduled skydive operation. The flight initially proceeded normally, with the pilot climbing to 9,000 feet (FL090) to allow the first four parachutists to exit the aircraft.
As the aircraft continued its climb to 11,000 feet (FL1-10) for the remaining two jumpers, the fifth parachutist experienced a premature deployment of his reserve parachute. This sudden deployment forced the jumper from the aircraft and caused the airframe to shake violently. Upon inspection, the pilot discovered that the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator had sustained significant damage from the impact. The final parachutist elected to remain on board.
Due to the damaged elevator, the pilot declared an emergency with Cape Town International Airport (FACT). During the subsequent emergency landing, the aircraft bounced on the runway, causing the propeller to strike the ground and resulting in damage to both the propeller and the nose wheel.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the flight history, aircraft maintenance records, and the circumstances of the deployment. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid commercial license and the aircraft was airworthy with no pre-existing mechanical defects. The investigation also looked into the injuries sustained, noting that while most occupants were unharmed, the parachutist involved in the impact suffered minor back and spinal injuries.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the impact of the parachutist against the aircraft.
- A significant contributing factor was the premature deployment of the jumper's reserve parachute.
- The aircraft's flight controls were compromised due to the structural damage to the elevator, necessitating the use of engine power adjustments to manage the descent rate.