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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 23, 1995 · De Havilland DHC-6 · N926MA

Belen, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 23, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality), 17 uninjured
Location
Belen, NM
Aircraft
De Havilland DHC-6
Tail Number
N926MA
Operator
Coronado Skydiving Center
Injuries
Fatal
NTSB Number
FTW95LA309

DURING AN ATTEMPTED FREESTYLE JUMP FROM 10,500 FEET MSL, THE PARACHUTIST GRIPPED A BAR IN THE AIRPLANE, THEN SWUNG HIS LEGS OUTSIDE AND LET GO. DURING THIS ATTEMPTED EXIT, THE PARACHUTIST HIT HIS HEAD ON THE DOORWAY FLOOR. THE PARACHUTIST DID NOT TURN 'FACE TO EARTH,' SO ANOTHER PARACHUTIST ATTEMPTED A RESCUE; HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO CATCH UP. THE INJURED PARACHUTIST DID NOT DEPLOY HIS PARACHUTE. THE PARACHUTIST HAD ACCUMULATED 70 JUMPS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, AND HE WAS NOT WEARING A HELMET.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PARACHUTIST'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROCEDURES ON EXITING THE AIRCRAFT. A FACTOR WAS THE PARACHUTIST'S INCAPACITATION DUE TO HITTING HIS HEAD ON THE DOORWAY FLOOR.

Full Narrative

On July 23, 1995, at 1620 mountain daylight time, one parachutist was fatally injured during a parachute drop from a DeHavilland DHC-6 Twin Otter, N926MA, near Belen, New Mexico. The airplane was not damaged, and the commercial pilot and 16 parachutists were not injured. The airplane was being operated by Coronado Skydiving Center under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. According to witnesses the parachutist was to execute a freestyle jump from 10,500 feet mean sea level (MSL). The parachutist stated to one witness that he "planned to grip the bar, then swing his legs outside and let go." During this attempted exit the parachutist hit his head on the doorway floor. The parachutist did not turn "face to Earth," so another parachutist attempted a rescue; however, he was unable to catch up. The injured parachutist did not deploy his parachute. The parachutist had accumulated 70 jumps prior to the accident, and he was not wearing a helmet.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:20 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDe Havilland DHC-6
Tail NumberN926MA
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorCoronado Skydiving Center
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6-A-27 · Turboprop · 550
Seats24

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality), 17 uninjured
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured17
Total18
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 5 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data