Breitscheid | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Shortly after takeoff from Breitscheid Airfield, while climbing to a height of about 10-15 metres, the single engine airplane stalled and crashed beside the runway. All nine occupants (eight skydivers and one pilot) were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4 Turbo Porter in Breitscheid: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 8, 2000 at 1852 LT

Type of aircraft:

Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter)

Operator:

Imaginair

Registration:

HB-FMC

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Skydiving / Paratroopers

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Breitscheid - Breitscheid

MSN:

938

YOM:

2000

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

Circumstances:

The single engine airplane departed Breitscheid Airfield on a local skydiving flight. Once the appropriate altitude was reached, 11 skydivers jumped out and the pilot returned to the airfield with another passenger on board. On final approach, at an altitude of about 280 metres, the parachute of the passenger mistakenly opened in the cockpit. The passenger was caught outside the cabin and collided with the elevators. The aircraft went out of control and crashed in an open field located 1,500 metres short of runway 07 threshold. The aircraft was totally destroyed and the pilot and the passenger were killed.

Probable cause:

Loss of control on final approach after the parachute of a passenger mistakenly opened in the cockpit and the passenger was caught outside the cabin and collided with the elevators.

Final Report: