What happened
On September 20, 2020, at 07:49 UTC, a Pilatus PC-6/B2/H4, registration T7-SKY, was conducting parachute deployment operations near the Cremona Migliaro airport in Italy. The aircraft was performing its second jump pass of the day, having climbed to 4,000 meters.
After completing the scheduled jumps for several teams and a video operator, the aircraft began wide turns to position itself for the final approach to runway 11. During this descent phase, the aircraft collided with the final skydiver in the sequence, who was performing a tracking maneuver using a track suit. The impact caused the aircraft to lose a large section of its left wing, leading to an uncontrolled descent. The aircraft crashed into a cornfield and caught fire.
Tragically, the collision resulted in two fatalities: the pilot and the skydiver.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation examined the flight history, the technical condition of the aircraft, and the operational procedures in place during the jump session. The investigation involved international cooperation, with the Swiss SISI and the Belgian AAIU(Be) contributing to the analysis of the aircraft and the deployment equipment.
Investigators reviewed the pilot's experience, noting he was a highly experienced commercial pilot with over 4,400 total flight hours, though he had not operated this specific aircraft for the local club in several months. The investigation also looked into the coordination between the pilot and the skydivers, as well as the regulatory framework governing non-commercial parachute operations in Italy.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the mid-air collision between the aircraft and the skydiver.
- There was inadequate coordination between the pilot and the skydiver regarding their respective descent and tracking trajectories.
- The investigation noted the likely absence of a designated launch official to ensure proper coordination between the aircraft and the jumpers.
- The pilot was performing maneuvers that involved significant changes in center of gravity and flight profiles, which require specific training and familiarity with the aircraft type.
- There was a lack of standardized operational manuals for non-commercial operators to define specific procedures for the local area and aircraft type.