# NTSB ATL94LA087: Cessna 182B, N2673G, Ellijay, GA, April 30, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 30, 1994, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Ellijay, GA - Coordinates: 34.690971, -84.480018 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6910&lon=-84.4800&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3377 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA087 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3377/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA087 ## Probable cause THE INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE PARACHUTE BECAUSE OF THE JUMPMASTER'S INATTENTION TO THE STATIC LINE. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - misc eqpt/furnishings,parachute/drag chute - deployed inadvertently - equipment,other - inattentive, other person (cause) ## Analysis A STUDENT SPORT PARACHUTIST WAS PREPARING FOR A STATIC LINE JUMP. THE PARACHUTE INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED AS HE WAS MOVING INTO JUMP POSITION, OUTSIDE OF THE AIRPLANE. CANOPY STATIC LINES CAUGHT ON THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER, TWISTING THE EMPENNAGE. THE JUMPMASTER STATED THAT NO MALFUNCTIONS WERE DISCOVERED DURING A POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE PARACHUTE. A SPORT PARACHUTING INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT AN INADVERTENT PARACHUTE DEPLOYMENT IS POSSIBLE DURING THE JUMPERS MOVE INTO POSITION OUTSIDE OF THE AIRPLANE. THE STATIC LINE MAY CATCH ON THE AIRPLANE STRUCTURE, OR BE HELD TOO TIGHTLY BY THE INSTRUCTOR, RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT. ## Factual narrative On April 30, 1994, about 1730 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182B, N2673G, collided with parachute canopy lines, during maneuvering flight near Ellijay, Georgia. The airplane was operated by Sky Dive North Georgia, Inc., for the sport parachute flight, under 14 CFR Part 105, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. There were no injuries to the commercial pilot, the jumpmaster, nor the student jumper. A flight plan was not filed for the local flight. Origination of the flight was the Gilmer County Airport, Ellijay, Georgia, about 15 minutes prior to the accident. The airplane was at 3,000 feet, in straight and level flight, in preparation for a static line jump by a student. The pilot reported that as the student jumper was positioning himself outside the airplane for the static line jump, the parachute inadvertently deployed. The jumpmaster then directed the student to jump. According to the pilot, the canopy risers caught on the horizontal stabilizer, bending the tip down almost 90 degrees. The airplane was then landed, uneventfully. A telephone conversation was held with the jumpmaster on May 2, 1994. He stated that no malfunctions were discovered with the parachute. A sport parachute instructor was consulted. He stated that an inadvertent canopy opening can occur with a static line jump, if the line catches on the aircraft structure. Or, an inadvertent parachute deployment can also occur if the static line is held too tightly by the jumpmaster, as the student moves into position outside the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2673G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2673G), registered now, S/N 51973, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182B - Registry model: [Cessna 182B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182b) (registry code 2072706) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 51973 - Airframe hours: 5010 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 1993, 257 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 415 total, 228 in this make and model, 255 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19940430010439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940430010439A), Apr 30, 1994: Cessna 182B, Ellijay, GA, Substantial damage. Chute inadvertenly deployed standing in doorway. Wrapped around tail. Twisted emmanage. Static line bumped or tight 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.