# NTSB ERA13CA247: Cessna 182D, N8775X, East Moriches, NY, May 17, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 17, 2013, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: East Moriches, NY - Coordinates: 40.824722, -72.750831 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8247&lon=-72.7508&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 23, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86945 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA247 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86945/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86945 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA247 ## Probable cause The inadvertent deployment of the skydiving instructor's drogue chute when he exited the airplane, resulting in it contacting and damaging the horizontal stabilizer. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Passenger (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) ## Analysis **This report was modified on 1/8/1014. Please see the public docket for this accident to view the original report.** According to the pilot, he leveled the airplane at 8,500 feet for a tandem skydive. When the instructor exited the airplane, the nose pitched up, then the airplane pitched over into a right, descending turn. The pilot assessed the situation and determined that the right horizontal stabilizer was bent. He later determined that the instructor's drogue chute became trapped under the flap handle, resulting in a premature deployment of the parachute. The drogue chute then caught the horizontal stabilizer, resulting in a 45-degree downward bend. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative **This report was modified on 1/8/1014. Please see the public docket for this accident to view the original report.** According to the pilot, he leveled the airplane at 8,500 feet for a tandem skydive. When the instructor exited the airplane, the nose pitched up, then the airplane pitched over into a right, descending turn. The pilot assessed the situation and determined that the right horizontal stabilizer was bent. He later determined that the instructor's drogue chute became trapped under the flap handle, resulting in a premature deployment of the parachute. The drogue chute then caught the horizontal stabilizer, resulting in a 45-degree downward bend. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8775X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8775X), registered now, S/N 18253175, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182D - Registry model: [Cessna 182D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182d) (registry code 2072710) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18253175 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Skydiving, Part 91 - Operator: 516-Skydive - Registered owner: Murphy Frank E - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 1, 2012 - Departed: 49N, East Moriches, NY - Destination: 49N, East Moriches, NY - Airport: 49N, Lufker Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 11, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 1,208 total, 6 in this make and model, 1,030 as pilot in command, 96 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 8 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: FOK, 6 nm away ## Other investigations on N8775X (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA23FA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA249), May 28, 2023: Cessna 182 (N8775X), Plymouth, NY, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 17, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86945. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393582&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Correspondence with Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393583&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Correspondence%20with%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 193 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40395101&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - 1/8/2014 Report Revision (item 4, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40407285&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=1%2F8%2F2014%20Report%20Revision-Master.PDF 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.