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NTSB Report
October 4, 1990 · Cessna 206 · N35889
South St. Paul, MN
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 4, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
South St. Paul, MN
Aircraft
Cessna 206
Tail Number
N35889
Operator
Wiraire
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI91DER01
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TURNING CROSSWIND AT AN ALTITUDE OF 400 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL, HE NOTED A CHANGE IN ENGINE NOISE, AND THE AIRPLANE STARTED TO SINK RAPIDLY. TROUBLESHOOTING REVEALED THAT THE SPIN PARACHUTE HAD INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO JETTISON THE PARACHUTE, BUT HE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL BECAUSE HE FOLLOWED PROCEDURES FOR A DIFFERENT DESIGN PARACHUTE. HE STATED THAT HE WAS LOSING ALTITUDE RAPIDLY, SO RATHER THAN ATTEMPT TO JETTISON AGAIN, HE CONCENTRATED ON MAKING A SUCCESSFUL FORCED LANDING. POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE SAFETY PIN HAD WORKED LOOSE, ALLOWING THE PARACHUTE TO DEPLOY.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRAG PARACHUTE. RELATED FACTORS ARE THE PILOT'S IMPROPER REMEDIAL ACTION, HABIT INTERFERENCE, AND THE REDUCED AIRCRAFT CONTROLLABILITY.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TURNING CROSSWIND AT AN ALTITUDE OF 400 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL, HE NOTED A CHANGE IN ENGINE NOISE, AND THE AIRPLANE STARTED TO SINK RAPIDLY. TROUBLESHOOTING REVEALED THAT THE SPIN PARACHUTE HAD INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO JETTISON THE PARACHUTE, BUT HE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL BECAUSE HE FOLLOWED PROCEDURES FOR A DIFFERENT DESIGN PARACHUTE. HE STATED THAT HE WAS LOSING ALTITUDE RAPIDLY, SO RATHER THAN ATTEMPT TO JETTISON AGAIN, HE CONCENTRATED ON MAKING A SUCCESSFUL FORCED LANDING. POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE SAFETY PIN HAD WORKED LOOSE, ALLOWING THE PARACHUTE TO DEPLOY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:15 CDT
Nearest AirportFleming Field (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 206
Tail NumberN35889
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWiraire
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-550F · Reciprocating · 300
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 49 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 12 kt, gusting 18 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO