What happened
On March 23, 2025, a Pilatus PC6-B2H2, registered as F-GEBS, was conducting a skydiving operation near Saint-Etienne, France. The aircraft, operated by a private skydiving center, departed from Saint-Galmier (LFKM) under visual flight rules (VFR). Following the deployment of parachutists, the aircraft entered a steep descent. During this phase of the flight, the pilot encountered a mechanical failure involving the trimmable horizontal stabilizer, which became blocked.
The investigation
The investigation into the incident was initiated by the French Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses pour la sécurité de l’aviation civile (BEA). The investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the flight from Saint-Galmier to Saint-Etienne (LFMH) and the specific mechanical nature of the stabilizer malfunction. The aircraft sustained slight damage during the event, but no injuries were reported among the crew or any third parties.
Findings
Technical analysis established that the mechanical blockage of the trimmable horizontal stabilizer occurred while the aircraft was in a steep descent. Despite the loss of stabilizer trim functionality, the pilot was able to manage the flight and arrange for a landing on a long runway at Saint-Etienne, preventing a more serious accident.