# NTSB CHI91DER01: Cessna 206, N35889, South St. Paul, MN, October 4, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: October 4, 1990, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: South St. Paul, MN
- Coordinates: 44.880153, -93.039398 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8802&lon=-93.0394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14847
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DER01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14847/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DER01

## Probable cause

THE INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRAG PARACHUTE. RELATED FACTORS ARE THE PILOT'S IMPROPER REMEDIAL ACTION, HABIT INTERFERENCE, AND THE REDUCED AIRCRAFT CONTROLLABILITY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,parachute/drag chute - deployed inadvertently (cause)
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - habit interference, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,parachute/drag chute - incorrect
  - aircraft control - reduced (contributing factor)
  - descent - inadvertent, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
  - terrain condition - ground
  - touchdown - abrupt, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TURNING CROSSWIND AT AN ALTITUDE OF 400 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL, HE NOTED A CHANGE IN ENGINE NOISE, AND THE AIRPLANE STARTED TO SINK RAPIDLY. TROUBLESHOOTING REVEALED THAT THE SPIN PARACHUTE HAD INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO JETTISON THE PARACHUTE, BUT HE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL BECAUSE HE FOLLOWED PROCEDURES FOR A DIFFERENT DESIGN PARACHUTE. HE STATED THAT HE WAS LOSING ALTITUDE RAPIDLY, SO RATHER THAN ATTEMPT TO JETTISON AGAIN, HE CONCENTRATED ON MAKING A SUCCESSFUL FORCED LANDING. POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE SAFETY PIN HAD WORKED LOOSE, ALLOWING THE PARACHUTE TO DEPLOY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35889](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N35889), registered now, S/N U20602783, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 206
- Registry model: [Cessna U206F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206f) (registry code 2073333) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-550-F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-f) (registry code 17211, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U20302783
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-550F 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Wiraire
- Destination: NONE, INVER GROVE HGT, MN
- Airport: D97, Fleming Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,749 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 5,582 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 58 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 12 knots, gusting 18
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19901004044089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901004044089A), Oct 4, 1990: Cessna U206F, South St Paul, MN, Substantial damage. Ballistic parachute opened on climb out. Used incorrect procedure to jettison. Came down vertically into trees.

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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