Crash of a Pacific Aerospace PAC 750XL in Grenchen: 1 killed

The single engine airplane departed Grenchen Airfield at 1348LT on a local skydiving flight, carrying 11 skydivers and one pilot. After a climb lasting approximately 14 minutes, the aircraft reached the drop altitude of approximately 3,700 metres above ground level over the departure airfield. The skydivers exited the aircraft in groups through the door on the left side of the aircraft. After the first nine skydivers had left the aircraft, the last two skydivers still on board proceeded to the open door of the aircraft to jump together. They had already jumped together twice earlier that day. The two skydivers remaining in the aircraft took their jump positions at the front and rear door frames, respectively, each facing backward. As a result, the reserve parachute of the skydiver located further toward the rear deployed inadvertently. The skydiver at the front door frame barely noticed the parachute opening. The reserve parachute abruptly pulled the skydiver out of the aircraft, causing the skydiver to collide with the aircraft’s horizontal stabilizer. The horizontal stabilizer was completely severed from the aircraft, causing the aircraft to become uncontrollable and enter a steep descent. The last skydiver remaining in the aircraft then jumped. The airplane crashed in an open field 900 metres from the airfield and was totally destroyed. The pilot was killed.