# NTSB ATL83LA286: Cessna P206B, N8601Z, Suffolk, VA, July 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1983, 18:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Suffolk, VA
- Coordinates: 36.700485, -76.62918 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7005&lon=-76.6292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 7 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6134
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA286
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6134/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA286

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - horizontal stabilizer surface - foreign object damage (cause)

## Analysis

THE PARACHUTE OF ONE OF THE JUMPERS DEPLOYED PREMATURELY. THE SHROUD LINES ENTANGLED IN THE RIGHT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER & ELEVATOR. AS THE PARACHUTE INFLATED, THE STABILIZER WAS BENT DOWNWARD, & THE ELEVATOR PARTIALLY RIPPED FROM THE TRAILING EDGE OF THE STABILIZER. THE JUMPER WAS LIBERATED FROM THE ENTANGLEMENT & SAFELY LANDED USING HIS RESERVE CHUTE.THE REMAINING JUMPERS EXITED THE ACFT & THE PLT SAFELY LANDED THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8601Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8601Z), registered now, S/N P206-0401 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA P206B
- Registry model: [Cessna P206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p206b) (registry code 2073309) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 2100
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: John W. Spruill
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, March 28, 1983, 20 hours before
- Airport: SFQ, Suffolk

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,075 total, 19 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F

## 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 19830709069339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830709069339A), Jul 9, 1983: Cessna P206B, Suffolk, VA, Substantial damage. Parachute deployed prematurely causing shroud lines to entangle stabilizer bending it downward. Aircraft landed ok.

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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