Zone
Tuscany

Crash of a Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4 Turbo Porter in Cecina

Date & Time: May 20, 2017 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter)
Operator:
Registration:
S5-CEI
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Skydiving / Paratroopers
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Cecina - Cecina
MSN:
778
YOM:
1977
Location:
Cecina
Tuscany
Country:
Italy
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was returning to Cecina Airfield following a skydiving flight in the area. After touchdown on a grassy area, the single engine aircraft veered to the left, impacted a drainage ditch and came to rest. The pilot escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

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

Date & Time: Jun 11, 2016 at 1230 LT
Type of aircraft:
Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter)
Operator:
Registration:
S5-CMB
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Skydiving / Paratroopers
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Cecina - Cecina
MSN:
932
YOM:
2000
Location:
Cecina
Tuscany
Country:
Italy
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
670
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3300
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1700
Aircraft flight hours:
6705
Circumstances:
The aircraft, operated by Skydive Kalifornia (aka Skydive Toscana) was involved in a local skydiving flight from Cecina Airfield. When the aircraft reached the assigned altitude, six of the seven skydivers bailed out. When the seventh skydiver elected to jump, his auxiliary parachute accidentally opened while the skydiver was still in the cabin. He was sucked outside and collided with the right horizontal stabilizer that later detached. The aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a field. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and both pilots were killed. There was no fire. All seven skydivers were uninjured.
Probable cause:
The cause of the accident is attributable to the detachment of the horizontal stabilizer following the impact with a skydiver dragged by his auxiliary parachute that accidentally opened while he was still inside the aircraft. This detachment led to the loss of governability of the aircraft.
The following factors contributed to the incident:
- The conformation of the throwing material, with closing flap of the safety flap covering the pin, which, tending to come out of its seat, did not guarantee adequate protection of the locking pin from accidental interference.
- The conformation of the structure of the right front seat, which interferes with the closing system of the auxiliary parachute bag, which determined the opening.
- The non-optimal disposition of the skydivers and the DL on board the aircraft (first skydiver to go out not immediately to the door and DL with his back addressed to the skydiver student).
Final Report:
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