# NTSB ATL98LA092: Cessna 182, N7247E, Green Sea, SC, July 4, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 4, 1998, 16:51 local (20:51 UTC) - Place: Green Sea, SC - Coordinates: 34.159698, -78.970413 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1597&lon=-78.9704&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 4006 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA092 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4006/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA092 ## Probable cause The inadvertent activation of the skydivers pilot chute, pulling him into the horizontal stabilizer/elevator, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, cruise - elevator - encountered, passenger (cause) - control interference - encountered (cause) ## Analysis According to the FAA, the skydiver was standing on the strut preparing to jump when his pilot parachute opened and wrapped around the tail section of the airplane. The skydiver was pulled from the strut and into the empennage section. He impacted the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator, causing substantial damage to the tail. The skydiver was fatally injured. The airplane was landed, using the elevator trim, without further incident. ## Factual narrative On July 4, 1998, at 1651 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182, N7247E, was substantially damaged when a skydiver struck the empennage during parachuting operations in Green Sea, South Carolina. The flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. There was no flight plan filed for this local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The commercial pilot and one passenger/skydiver were not injured, and one passenger/skydiver was fatally injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The flight departed Green Sea, South Carolina at 1635.According to the FAA, the flight departed Green Sea and climbed to an altitude of 10,000 feet. The first two skydivers jumped out upon reaching the drop area. The third skydiver was standing on the strut preparing to jump when his pilot parachute opened and wrapped around the tail section of the airplane. The skydiver was pulled from the strut and into the empennage section. He impacted the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator, causing substantial damage to the tail. The pilot ordered the fourth skydiver to jump as he tried to maintain control of the airplane. The airplane was landed, using the elevator trim, without further incident. The third skydiver died as a result of his injuries one week later. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7247E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7247E), registered now, S/N 52247, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182 - 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: 52247 - Airframe hours: 2905 - Engines: Continental O-470-L 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Skydiving, Part 91 - Operator: Brian Strong - Registered owner: Scott Smith - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 7, 1998, 40 hours before - Departed: S79 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,040 total, 500 in this make and model, 1,914 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 13 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MYR, 50 nm away ## 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 19980704036329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980704036329A), Jul 4, 1998: Cessna 182B, Green Sea, SC, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. (.4)According to the FAA, the skydiver was standing on the strut preparing to jump when his pilot parachute opened and wrapped around the tail section of the… 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.