Skydiving / Paratroopers

The aircraft was on a sport parachute flight to carry 24 parachutists to 12,500' over a drop zone (dz) for a mass jump. It was in a cargo configuration with no passenger seats, but it had one jump seat. There were 24 seat belts on the floor of the cargo area. Also, the cabin door had been removed and an unapproved step and 4 handholds were installed outside and forward of the cabin door for parachutists. The usual jump-run procedure was for the aircraft to be slowed to 95 to 100 knots, extend the gear and approach flaps and reduce power on the left engine. The jumpers remained in position without using seat belts until approaching the dz, then two moved outside the aircraft while others moved close to the doorway. The first jumpers were unaware of any problem, but saw the aircraft enter a steep bank, roll over and spiral nose down. 16 jumpers exited the aircraft, but three hit the stabilizer. The aircraft crashed in a near vertical descent. Investigation revealed the cg was behind the aft limit for takeoff and the jump. The elevator trim actuator was found in a position for full nose-up trim.

The aircraft was on a local flight involving a parachute jumping activity. In addition to the pilot, there were 12 parachutists and an observer on board. The pilot initiated his takeoff on runway 18. A witness stated that shortly after takeoff, the engine power was reduced to climb power, followed by the gear retraction. Reportedly, the aircraft had climbed to about 150 feet agl when the nose pitched up, the plane rolled to the left and then it crashed in a steep left bank, nose down attitude. An investigation revealed that the aircraft was loaded well beyond its maximum gross weight and aft cg limits. The amount of fuel on board was not verified, but even with no fuel, the plane would have been about 580 lbs over the maximum limit. With 100 gallons, the estimated gross weight would have been about 9,939 lbs with the cg at about 121 inches. The maximum certificated gross weight was 8,750 lbs with an aft cg limit of 117.6 inches. Extensive ground fire damage, but no preimpact, mechanical discrepancies evident.

The single engine airplane departed Triengen Aerodrome for a local skydiving flight, carrying eight skydivers and one pilot. At an altitude of 3,000 meters, after seven skydivers jumped out, the left ailerons detached. The pilot and the remaining passenger abandoned the aircraft that entered a dive and crashed onto a house located in the village of Triengen. The aircraft and the house were destroyed while there were no injuries and no casualties.

Prior to flight the spark plugs on both engines were replaced due to minor engine vibration and the landing gear retract system wiring repaired due to the gear not retracting electrically on a prior occasion. After takeoff the gear would not retract electrically and the passenger had to crank up the gear manually. After the parachute jump the pilot shut down the left engine to isolate the vibration. He then started the left engine and feathered the right engine. Unable to unfeather the right engine he elected to land with full flaps and gear down after a straight-in approach. As he approached the threshold a Cessna 150 taxied onto the runway. The pilot executed a go-around while trying to retract the flaps and gear electrically without results. The passenger was attempting to retract the gear manually when the aircraft struck a tree. The pilot stated he did not make his landing intentions known on unicom during the approach. No pre-impact discrepancies were found to preclude normal prop operation. Normal elect power is halved with one generation inoperative.

The aircraft departed Djibouti City on a local paratroopers training mission. While flying by night, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Garbi (1,700 meters high) located northwest of Assal Lake. The aircraft was totally destroyed upon impact and all 36 occupants were killed, among them seven officers, five non-commissioned officers, one Navy officer, 23 Corporals and legionaries.
Crew:
Cmd Dalmasso,
Cmd Couillaud,
Cpt Taddéï,
Cpt Demange.

The aircraft was making a parachuting flight in fine weather and was being flown by a pilot who held a Private Pilot's Licence. Almost immediately after becoming airborne the pilot found he had to use both hands on the control column to counter a strong nose-up out of trim force. The aircraft gained about 250 feet in a semi-stalled condition, then yawed to the left and lost height until it struck the ground, suffering serious damage but no catching fire. Three of the nine parachutists on board received serious injuries and the other occupants received minor injuries.

The single engine airplane departed Lasclaveries Aerodrome in the afternoon on a local skydiving flight. After all skydivers jump out, the pilot reduced his altitude to return to the airfield. On approach, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in a field located in Sévignacq, about 3 km northeast of the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

The aircraft was engaged in a local training mission carrying four crew members and 43 paratroopers. During the takeoff roll, the captain decided to precipitate the rotation due to the presence of a cyclist on the runway. The aircraft took off but due to an insufficient speed, stalled and crashed. A paratrooper was seriously injured while 46 other occupants were killed.

Crashed in a military camp located in the Kanchanaburi Province while taking part to a skydiving exercise on behalf of the Office of Royally-Sponsored Artificial Rain. The pilot encountered unknown technical problems and was forced to attempt an emergency landing. There were no casualties.

Crashed in unknown circumstances. No casualties.