Skydiving / Paratroopers

The single engine airplane departed Moruya Airport on a local skydiving flight with eight skydivers and one pilot on board. After all eight occupants jumped out, the pilot was returning to base when the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances 2 km north of the airfield. The pilot was killed and the airplane was destroyed. It was owned by Jump Aviation and operated by Skyone Moruya.

The single engine airplane departed Chita-Kashtak Airport on a local skydiving flight, carrying 10 skydivers and one pilot. About 10 minutes after takeoff, the pilot encountered engine problems. He attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in a wooded area located 3 km northeast of the airfield. All 11 occupants were injured and the airplane was damaged beyond repair.

The single engine airplane departed Cross Keys Runway 27 at 1719LT on a skydiving flight, carrying 14 skydivers and one pilot. Almost immediately after takeoff, the pilot encountered engine problems and decided to return. He completed a left hand circuit, reduced his altitude and attempted to land on runway 27 when the airplane stalled and crashed in a wooded area located near the runway threshold. The accident occurred 4 minutes after takeoff. All 15 occupants were injured, three critically.

Shortly after takeoff from Tullahoma-William Northern Field Airport, while climbing, the airplane experienced an unknown issue, lost height, collided with trees and crashed near the airfield. Upon impact, the left wing and the empennage were torn off while the cockpit was severely damaged. Four people were seriously injured and some others escaped with minor injuries.

The airplane already completed four successfully skydiving sortie during the day. Shortly after takeoff from Yessentuki Airfield, while climbing to a height of 50 metres, the engine lost power and a fin black smoke emanated from the exhaust pipe. The pilot decided to return to the airport and initiated a turn to the left. Too low, the airplane collided with a lighting mast located on the bridge of the Suvorovskoye shosse road leading over the A-157 highway. The airplane continued to fly for some 100-150 metres before coming down into trees, about one km west of the airfield. All nine occupants were quickly rescued. The airplane was damaged beyond repair.

The single engine airplane departed Vladikavkaz Airport on a skydiving mission, carrying 13 skydivers and two pilots. While flying between Mairamadag and Koban, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and attempted an emergency landing when the airplane impacted trees and crashed in a dense wooded area. All 15 occupants were rescued, among them few were injured, some seriously.

The single engine airplane was returning to its base at Youngstown-Windsor Airfield following a local skydiving mission. On approach to the grassy runway, the airplane went out of control, impacted a road and crashed below in a pasture. The airplane was totally destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

The pilot, sole on board, was returning to his base at Spa-La Sauvenière Airport following a skydiving flight. On final approach to runway 05, the engine failed according to an eyewitness. The airplane floated over the runway then made a turn to the right and crashed in a grassy area. The pilot was injured.

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.

The single engine airplane departed Gap-Tallard Airport on a local skydiving mission, carrying 15 skydivers and one pilot. After all 15 skydivers jumped out, the pilot was returning to his departure point. This was the sixth flight of the day. The pilot started the descent then made a wide left turn to reach the final approach. At an altitude of 6,400 feet, in contrast to previous flights, the pilot turned right onto a south-westerly course and continued the descent in a straight line. At 1050LT, the plane collided head-on with the mountainside near the Pic de Crigne. The airplane disintegrated on impact and the pilot was killed.