# NTSB NYC91LA183: Beech B90, N9HW, Waynesville, OH, July 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1991, 12:35 local (16:35 UTC)
- Place: Waynesville, OH
- Coordinates: 39.530414, -84.079154 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5304&lon=-84.0792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36967
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36967/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA183

## Probable cause

THE SHROUD LINES FROM THE PARACHUTE CUTTING THROUGH THE LEFT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER AND DEFORMING THE LEFT ELEVATOR AFTER THE JUMPER HAD AN UNCOMMANDED DEPLOYMENT OF HIS RESERVE PARACHUTE AND WAS PULLED FROM THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise - normal
  - object - other (cause)
  - flight control,elevator - overload

## Analysis

AS THE JUMPMASTER AND STUDENT JUMPER BACKED INTO THE DOOR OF THE AIRPLANE IN PREPARATION FOR A TANDEM JUMP, HE HAD A UNCOMMANDED DEPLOYMENT OF HIS RESERVE PARACHUTE, THAT DRAGGED THEM OUT THE DOOR.  THE JUMPERS WENT UNDER THE LEFT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER WHILE THE CANOPY WENT OVER THE TOP.  AFTER A FEW SECONDS, THE PARACHUTE SHROUD LINES CUT THROUGH THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER AND DEFORMED THE LEFT ELEVATOR.  THE TANDEM JUMPERS FELL FREE, CUT AWAY THE DAMAGED RESERVE PARACHUTE, AND DEPLOYED THE MAIN CANOPY.  THE AIRPLANE LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER DAMAGE.  A WITNESS SAW THE PILOT CHUTE FOR THE RESERVE PARACHUTE DEPLOY AS THE JUMPER BACKED INTO THE DOOR.  HE SAID THE PARACHUTE WAS SECURE WHEN HE OBSERVED IT A FEW SECONDS PRIOR TO THE JUMP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9HW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9HW), registered now, S/N LJ-459, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B90
- Registry model: [Beech B90](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b90) (registry code 1152912) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [U/A Canada PT6 SER 578HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/u-a-canada-pt6-ser-578hp) (registry code 61501, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: LJ-459
- Airframe hours: 5610
- Engines: P&W PT6A-28 680 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: West Tennessee Skydivers
- Registered owner: Fuller Rental And Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 29, 1991, 28 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 12,782 total, 157 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F

## 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 19910720029049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910720029049A), Jul 20, 1991: Beech B90, Waynesville, OH, Substantial damage. Tandem jumpers pilot chute opened as they backed to door. Pulled out. Hit tail. Severing half 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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