# NTSB FTW94LA119: Cessna 208, N9421F, Whitewright, TX, April 3, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1994, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Whitewright, TX
- Coordinates: 33.509788, -96.389305 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5098&lon=-96.3893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 14 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19028
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19028/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA119

## Probable cause

THE INADVERTENT STALL WHEN TOO MANY PARACHUTIST HUNG ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - procedures/directives - not followed, passenger (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING SPORT PARACHUTE OPERATIONS THE AIRCRAFT INADVERTENTLY STALLED WHEN TOO MANY JUMPERS ATTACHED THEMSELVES ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE JUMPERS HAD BEEN BRIEFED ON LIMITING THE NUMBER TO EXIT AT ONE TIME TO SIX; HOWEVER, THEY IGNORED THESE INSTRUCTIONS. AS THEY DEPARTED THE AIRCRAFT THE PILOT REGAINED CONTROL AND LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

## Factual narrative

On April 3, 1994, at 1830 central daylight time, a Cessna 208, N9421F, sustained minor damage and 2 of the 15 skydivers aboard sustained injuries, one minor and one serious, following a loss of control near Whitewright, Texas.  The airplane was flown by an airline transport pilot during visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was filed.

The pilot stated to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector that the airplane stalled while maneuvering for a parachute drop at 14,000 feet mean sea level.  During the stall, two of the eight skydivers that were holding onto the outside of the airplane sustained injuries when they let go and impacted the horizontal stabilizer.  The pilot further stated that the jumpers had been briefed on limiting the number to exit at one time to six; however, they ignored these instructions.  The pilot reported, during an interview with the investigator in charge, that she "regained control of the aircraft and landed without incident."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9421F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9421F), registered now, S/N 20800049 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 208
- Registry model: [Cessna 208](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-208) (registry code 2073702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20800049
- Airframe hours: 2655
- Engines: P&W PT6-114 600 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Skydiving Productions Over Tx
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,060 total, 516 in this make and model, 7,897 as pilot in command, 61 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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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