NTSB Factual Report

On July 4, 1998, at 1651 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182, N7247E, was substantially damaged when a skydiver struck the empennage during parachuting operations in Green Sea, South Carolina. The flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. There was no flight plan filed for this local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The commercial pilot and one passenger/skydiver were not injured, and one passenger/skydiver was fatally injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The flight departed Green Sea, South Carolina at 1635.

According to the FAA, the flight departed Green Sea and climbed to an altitude of 10,000 feet. The first two skydivers jumped out upon reaching the drop area. The third skydiver was standing on the strut preparing to jump when his pilot parachute opened and wrapped around the tail section of the airplane. The skydiver was pulled from the strut and into the empennage section. He impacted the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator, causing substantial damage to the tail. The pilot ordered the fourth skydiver to jump as he tried to maintain control of the airplane. The airplane was landed, using the elevator trim, without further incident. The third skydiver died as a result of his injuries one week later.

NTSB Probable Cause

The inadvertent activation of the skydivers pilot chute, pulling him into the horizontal stabilizer/elevator, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane.