CHI95LA060

The airplane took off with four parachutists on board. After reaching an altitude of 11,000 feet, one parachutist exited the airplane. As the second parachutist was exiting, his reserve parachute deployed pulling him toward the rear of the airplane. The parachute canopy went over the top of the horizontal stabilizer and the parachutist went under the stabilizer. The reserve parachute suspension lines slipped off the horizontal stabilizer. The parachutist then opened the main parachute and made a successful descent/landing. However, the stabilizer and empennage were damaged and the elevator was jammed. The pilot instructed the remaining parachutists to exit the airplane. Although the elevator was jammed, the pilot managed to land the airplane in a plowed corn field using power and aileron control. During the landing, the airplane's landing gear and propeller were damaged. An investigation revealed evidence that the design of the reserve parachute cable housing was inadequate (not adequately secured), which allowed the cable to be pulled prematurely. The parachute manufacturer (parachute industry of south africa) agreed to redesign the housing.

On December 17, 1994, at 1500 central standard time, a Cessna 182A, N6090B, operated by Pike Air Services, Inc., collided with a parachutist during a parachute jumping flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot received minor injuries during the subsequent forced landing. The four parachutists were not injured. The flight originated from Bowling Green, Missouri, at 1445 cst.

The pilot stated that after takeoff he climbed to an altitude of 11,000 feet mean sea level to prepare for the "jump run." The pilot reported the first jumper exited the airplane and was waiting on the outside step for the second jumper. As the second jumper climbed out of the airplane, his reserve chute deployed pulling him toward the back of the airplane. The pilot stated he heard a "loud crash" and immediately instructed the other parachutists to exit the airplane.

The pilot reported the airplane kept wanting to pitch up and roll to the left. He controlled the airplane by pushing "full down elevator and almost full right aileron." The pilot initially felt there was enough aircraft control to return to the airport; however, upon reaching pattern altitude he determined there was no elevator control. Having to control the pitch attitude using power and with the left turning tendency, the pilot elected to land the airplane in a plowed cornfield. The airplane received landing gear and propeller damage during the landing.

Inspection of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed the leading edge of the right horizontal stabilizer was missing. The entire empennage was bent approximately 30 degrees to the left and buckling was present in the fuselage at the tailcone bulkhead. The plastic end cap on the horizontal stabilizer was torn loose and retained by one rivet. This interfered with the elevator weight preventing movement of the elevator. It was determined that the parachutist passed under the horizontal stabilizer and chute went over the top of the stabilizer.

According to the aircraft owner, the parachute which deployed was manufactured by PISA (Parachute Industry of South Africa). He stated the tubular housing through which the reserve chute deployment cable runs was not secured adequately. He stated that this allowed the cable to be pulled and thus the chute inadvertently deployed. He stated he had discussions with PISA officials who have agreed to redesign the housing.