What happened
On February 18, 2024, a PAC 75 and0XL, registration HB-TCP, was conducting a private skydiving operation out of Grenchen Airport. After climbing to approximately 3,700 meters, the aircraft began dropping groups of skydivers through a side door.
As the final two skydivers prepared to exit the aircraft together, the reserve parachute of the person positioned further back in the door deployed unexpectedly. The force of the deployment pulled the skydiver out of the aircraft, leading to a high-speed collision with the aircraft's tailplane. This impact completely severed the tailplane from the fuselage, rendering the aircraft uncontrollable. The aircraft entered a steep descent and struck the ground approximately 90 seconds later. The pilot, who was not wearing a personal parachute, sustained fatal injuries. The skydiver involved in the deployment was found with light injuries.
The investigation
SUST investigators examined the wreckage, radar data, radio communications, and witness statements from the skydivers. The investigation focused on the mechanical state of the PAC 750XL and the skydiver's equipment.
Technical analysis of the aircraft revealed no pre-existing mechanical failures that contributed to the accident. Similarly, the skydiver's harness and reserve parachute system were found to be in a well-maintained condition, with no technical defects identified in the deployment mechanism or the automatic activation device. Investigators also reviewed the pilot's experience and the operational procedures of the skydiving club.
Findings
- The primary cause of the uncontrolled flight was the accidental deployment of a reserve parachute, which caused the skydiver to strike and detach the aircraft's tailplane.
- A critical contributing factor to the fatal outcome was that the pilot was not wearing a personal parachute, which prevented an emergency egress during the 90-second period between the structural failure and the impact.
- The investigation noted that while the pilot's flight experience was significant, the club's flight manual did not mandate the use of a personal parachute for pilots.
- The skydiver's clothing, specifically a jacket with pockets, was noted as a potential factor in how equipment might shift or interact with handles during movement within the cabin.