# NTSB ATL83LA222: Cessna 182F, N3112U, Tallassee, AL, May 28, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1983, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Tallassee, AL
- Coordinates: 32.530075, -85.890144 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5301&lon=-85.8901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6089
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA222
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6089/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA222

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, cruise - normal
  - flight control,elevator - loss,partial (contributing factor)
  - horizontal stabilizer surface - loss,partial (contributing factor)
  - object - other person (contributing factor)
  - miscellaneous - above, passenger (cause)

## Analysis

AS THE STUDENT JUMPER WAS GETTING OUT OF THE AIRCRAFT AND ONTO THE STEP IN PREPARATION FOR A PARACHUTE JUMP THE PACK TRAY PREMATURELY OPENED AND THE CANOPY BLOSSOMED UNDER THE TAIL PULLING THE JUMPER INTO THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER CAUSING A CUT ON HIS LEFT SHIN. ABOUT 15 INCHES OF THE RIGHT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER AND ELEVATOR WERE SHEARED BY THE JUMPER. THE REMAINDER WAS CRUMPLED AND DEFORMED FROM MID-SPAN OUTWARD. A WITNESS STATED THAT THE ONLY WAY THIS COULD HAPPEN WAS IF THE PILOT HAD THE YOKE BACK AND THE TAIL LOW. IN OTHER PREMATURE OPENINGS THE WITNESS HAD BEEN INVOLVED WITH, THE PARACHUTE OPENED UNDER THE TAIL AND THE JUMPER ALSO WENT UNDER THE TAIL CLEARING THE AIRCRAFT STRUCTURE IN ALL CASES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3112U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3112U), registered now, S/N 18254512, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182F
- Registry model: [Cessna 182F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182f) (registry code 2072714) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18254512
- Airframe hours: 475
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Jerry T. Montgomery
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 20, 1982, 160 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 174 total, 147 in this make and model, 138 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830528064579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830528064579A), May 28, 1983: Cessna 182F, Tallassee, AL, Substantial damage. Parachute jumper hit horizontal stabilzer during premature opening causing substantial damage.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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