Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CHI91DER01

SOUTH ST. PAUL, MN, USA

Aircraft #1

N35889

CESSNA 206

Analysis

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.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRAG PARACHUTE. RELATED FACTORS ARE THE PILOT'S IMPROPER REMEDIAL ACTION, HABIT INTERFERENCE, AND THE REDUCED AIRCRAFT CONTROLLABILITY.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

Get all the details on your iPhone or iPad with:

Aviation Accidents App

In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports