BEECH B90 near West Point, VA — 2009-08-01
Final reportERA09LA435
- Date
- 2009-08-01
- Location
- West Point, VA, USA
- Aircraft
- BEECH B90
- Registration
- N1999G
- Category
- Airplane
- Highest injury
- Fatal
- Fatalities
- 1
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
Probable cause
The inadvertent deployment of the instructor's reserve parachute.
NTSB narrative
During a skydiving flight at approximately 14,000 feet, an instructor positioned himself at the door opening with his jump student nearby. The student inadvertently pulled the instructor's reserve parachute D-ring, deploying the chute and pulling the instructor out of the airplane. The instructor contacted the left horizontal stabilizer then descended toward the ground coming to rest suspended in a tree by his parachute.
Analysis
- Primary failure mode
- Human factors
- First missed decision gate
- Instructor should have ensured parachute was secure before exiting.
NTSB coding
Evidence available
- Photos
- 8 docket documents
Docket documents8
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1form
- FAA Inspector Statementinterview
- Witness Statementsinterview
- Photo 1: Digital Picture Provided by FAA. View Showing Damage to the Left Horizontal Stabilizer.photos
- Photo 2: Digital Picture Provided by FAA. View Showing Damage to the Left Horizontal Stabilizer.photos
- Excerpts of Report from Virginia State Policereport
- Toxicological Reportreport
- Weather Reports and Recordsreport
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