20120728020409A

While straight and level at 10,000 feet MSL, the first jumper exited the aircraft and stood on the right hand wheel step preparing to jump. Before the skydiver left the step he experienced a premature deployment of his pilot chute causing his main parachute to be pulled from its container. The main parachute pulled the skydiver loose from the aircraft step and he became briefly entangled in the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator of the aircraft. The force of the aircraft moving forward caused the parachute to be pulled loose from the horizontal stabilizer. The skydiver was able to jettison his main parachute and continue the jump utilizing his reserve parachute. The skydiver was not injured in this accident. The pilot felt the first jumper's parachute strike the horizontal stabilizer and described it as feeling like the aircraft had stalled. He stated that he checked the airspeed and noted that it was at approximately 70 to 75 miles per hour which is normal for a jump run. After the two remaining skydivers exited the aircraft the pilot conducted a control continuity check and did not note any anomalies. The pilot executed a shallower than normal descent and was able to land the aircraft without any further incidentonce the aircraft was on the ground the horizontal stabilizer was inspected and found that the front spar on the stabilizer was damaged. When the stabilizer was removed the aircraft structure was inspected and no damage was found. The stabilizer was replaced with a serviceable stabilizer.