Cessna 182A N6090B

Summary

On 17 December 1994 at about 21:00 local time, a Cessna 182A registered N6090B, operated by Skydive St. Louis, was involved in an accident near Bowling Green, Missouri, United States. 5 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 December 1994 at 21:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Bowling Green, Missouri, United States

Coordinates

39.3298, -91.1893

Aircraft

Cessna 182A

Registration

N6090B

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Skydive St. Louis

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI95LA060

1 person had minor injuries.

INADEQUATE DESIGN OF THE RESERVE PARACHUTE CABLE HOUSING, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE PARACHUTE, AND SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH, AND JAMMING OF, THE AIRCRAFT'S HORIZONTAL STABILIZER, NECESSITATING A FORCED LANDING.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE AIRPLANE TOOK OFF WITH FOUR PARACHUTISTS ON BOARD. AFTER REACHING AN ALTITUDE OF 11,000 FEET, ONE PARACHUTIST EXITED THE AIRPLANE. AS THE SECOND PARACHUTIST WAS EXITING, HIS RESERVE PARACHUTE DEPLOYED PULLING HIM TOWARD THE REAR OF THE AIRPLANE. THE PARACHUTE CANOPY WENT OVER THE TOP OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER AND THE PARACHUTIST WENT UNDER THE STABILIZER. THE RESERVE PARACHUTE SUSPENSION LINES SLIPPED OFF THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER. THE PARACHUTIST THEN OPENED THE MAIN PARACHUTE AND MADE A SUCCESSFUL DESCENT/LANDING. HOWEVER, THE STABILIZER AND EMPENNAGE WERE DAMAGED AND THE ELEVATOR WAS JAMMED. THE PILOT INSTRUCTED THE REMAINING PARACHUTISTS TO EXIT THE AIRPLANE. ALTHOUGH THE ELEVATOR WAS JAMMED, THE PILOT MANAGED TO LAND THE AIRPLANE IN A PLOWED CORN FIELD USING POWER AND AILERON CONTROL. DURING THE LANDING, THE AIRPLANE'S LANDING GEAR AND PROPELLER WERE DAMAGED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT THE DESIGN OF THE RESERVE PARACHUTE CABLE HOUSING WAS INADEQUATE (NOT ADEQUATELY SECURED), WHICH ALLOWED THE CABLE TO BE PULLED PREMATURELY. THE PARACHUTE MANUFACTURER (PARACHUTE INDUSTRY OF SOUTH AFRICA) AGREED TO REDESIGN THE HOUSING.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.