# NTSB FTW93LA257: Beech C-45H, N125MB, Fentress, TX, September 5, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1993, 19:35 local (Sep 5, 1993, 00:35 UTC)
- Place: Fentress, TX
- Coordinates: 29.749265, -97.779541 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7493&lon=-97.7795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 10 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 27, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18829
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA257
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18829/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA257

## Probable cause

INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE SKYDIVER'S RESERVE PARACHUTE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,parachute/drag chute - deployed inadvertently (cause)

## Analysis

THE RESERVE PARACHUTE OF ONE OF THE SKYDIVERS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED AND PULLED HIM OUT OF THE AIRPLANE, STRIKING THE LEFT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER. EXAMINATION OF THE RESERVE PARACHUTE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY FAULT WITH THE AUTOMATIC SIGNALING DEVICE.

## Factual narrative

On September 4, 1993, at 1935 central daylight time, a Beech C-45H, N125MB, was substantially damaged near Fentress, Texas.  One sky diver was fatally injured when his reserve parachute inadvertently deployed.  The commercial pilot and the other nine passengers were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local sky diving flight.

During a telephone interview, conducted by the investigator-in- charge, the pilot stated that while the airplane was at 13,000 feet MSL, he reduced the left engine power to 15 inches of manifold pressure.  He further said, as the jumpers prepared to exit the airplane, a prematurely deployed emergency parachute pulled one jumper out of the airplane.  As the jumper's body struck the left horizontal stabilizer, the nose of the airplane pitched up and the airspeed dropped to 80 mph.

The pilot and operator reported leading edge skin and ribs were damaged forward of the horizontal stabilizer spar.  They further reported that the spar was bent and the upper skin was wrinkled aft of the spar.

Examination of the reserve parachute SSE Sentinel Mk2000 S/N 7611, by the manufacturer, gives no evidence of any fault with the automatic signaling device (ASD).  Their report is enclosed.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N125MB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N125MB), registered now, S/N AF-286, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C-45H
- Registry model: [Beech C-45H](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c-45h) (registry code 1151018) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 51-11729
- Airframe hours: 6225
- Engines: P&W R-985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Skydiving, Part 91
- Operator: Sky Dive San Marcos, Inc.
- Registered owner: Sky Dive San Marcos, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1993, 39 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,766 total, 328 in this make and model, 2,610 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19930904039089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930904039089A), Sep 4, 1993: Beech C45H, Fentress, TX, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Emergency chute deployed as jumper came to door. His body struck and damaged aircrafts horizontal stabilizer.

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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