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September 29, 2002 · Cessna 208B · N9347B

Pawtucket, RI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 29, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured, 1 unknown outcome)
Location
Pawtucket, RI
Aircraft
Cessna 208B
Tail Number
N9347B
Operator
Boston-Providence Skydiving Center
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
NYC02LA199

After a parachute drop flight, the airplane taxied back to the ramp area. The airplane was parked on the ramp, with the engine running, while the next group of parachutists were boarding the airplane. During that time, a parachutist who had just landed, contacted the propeller and sustained a serious injury. Witnesses reported observing the parachutist descending toward the airplane without altering her course. One witness reported he "tackled" the parachutist to the ground; however, the parachute became entangled in the airplane's propeller and subsequently dragged the parachutist into the propeller. The parachutist had completed an estimated 18 prior jumps, which included 4 jumps at the accident airport. Winds reported at the airport, about the time of the accident were calm.

NTSB Probable Cause

The parachutist's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point, which resulted in contact with the operating propeller of a parked airplane.

Full Narrative

On September 29, 2002, about 1600 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 208B, N9347B, was not damaged while stopped on the ramp at the North Central State Airport (SFZ), Pawtucket, Rhode Island, when a parachutist contacted the propeller. The certificated airline transport pilot was not injured; however, the parachutist sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the parachuting flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. During an interview, the pilot said he landed after conducting his tenth parachute drop flight of the day, and while taxing back to the ramp, he stopped to ensure that all the parachutists had landed. The pilot did not observe any further canopies, and taxied back to the ramp. The airplane was parked on the ramp, with the engine running, while the next group of parachutists were boarding the airplane. The pilot then heard screams and observed a canopy enter the propeller. The pilot immediately shut down the engine. Witnesses reported observing the parachutist descending toward the airplane without altering her course. One witness reported he "tackled" the parachutist to the ground; however, the parachute became entangled in the airplane's propeller and subsequently dragged the parachutist into the propeller. The parachutist had completed an estimated 18 prior jumps, which included 4 jumps at SFZ. The pilot estimated that the normal parachutist landing zone was between 50 to 300 feet from the ramp area. Winds reported at the airport, about the time of the accident were calm.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 EDT
Nearest AirportNorth Central State (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 208B
Tail NumberN9347B
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorBoston-Providence Skydiving Center
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · PT-6A-114A · Turboprop · 675
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured, 1 unknown outcome)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 44 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 43 C
Altimeter30.22 inHg
Observation Time19:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data