Peterborough Parachute Centre

The twin engine aircraft departed Empuriabravia Airfield on a local skydiving mission. After all skydivers jumped, the pilot returned to the airport. On final approach, the pilot encountered engine problems and initiated a go-around procedure when the aircraft lost height, struck trees and crashed short of runway threshold. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

The aircraft took off on the first flight of the day with eight parachutists, and a reported fuel load of 70 US gallons. At an altitude of approximately 11,000 feet it was decided that the cloud cover at that time was obscuring the dropping zone to an unacceptable degree, and so the detail was cancelled. During the subsequent descent, on rolling out of a left turn at about 4,500 feet, a bang was heard, and the left aileron was seen to have become partially detached. After a violent lateral oscillation of the control column lasting a few seconds, the right aileron also became partially detached. At this stage the parachutists successfully abandoned the aircraft on the orders of the pilot. The aircraft then adopted an angle of bank to the right of approximately 45° despite the application of full left rudder. The descent was continued until the pilot realized that the aircraft was approaching the village of Yarwell; he therefore applied engine power to ensure that the aircraft would clear the houses. The bank angle then increased to 60° and the aircraft struck the ground right wing low, coming to rest upright, and facing the opposite direction. The pilot sustained minor injuries, and there was no fire.

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.