# NTSB NYC91LA252: Cessna 182, N6316A, Hadley, MA, September 29, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1991, 12:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Hadley, MA
- Location: 42.3418° N, 72.5884° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hadley, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3418&lon=-72.5884&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37025
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA252
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37025/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA252

## Probable cause

AN INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO ENTANGLEMENT OF A PREMATURELY DEPLOYED PARACHUTE IN THE ELEVATOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - control interference - inadvertent, passenger (cause)
  - flight control,elevator - entangled (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

WITH THE DOOR OPEN AND PREPARING TO JUMP, A SKYDIVER HAD PREMATURE DEPLOYMENT OF HIS MAIN PARACHUTE.  HE JUMPED OUT THE DOOR AND HIS PARACHUTE BECAME ENTANGLED IN THE ELEVATOR OF THE AIRPLANE.  THE PILOT SAID THE AIRPLANE PITCHED DOWN AND THE OTHER SKYDIVERS IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE AIRPLANE.  THE SKYDIVER WHOSE PARACHUTE WAS ENTANGLED WITH THE TAIL, CUT AWAY HIS PARACHUTE AND USED HIS RESERVED CHUTE FOR LANDING.  THE ENTANGLED PARACHUTE THEN SEPARATED FROM THE AIRPLANE, HOWEVER THE PILOT WAS STILL UNABLE TO CONTROL THE AIRPLANE AND DEPARTED THE AIRPLANE.  THE AIRPLANE CRASHED IN A FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6316A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6316A-1991-11-05), registration cancelled 1991-11-05, S/N 33116 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182) (registry code 2072702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 33116
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Donald A. Dupont
- Registered owner: P&D Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: 7B2, NORTHAMPTON, MA
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,946 total, 1,844 in this make and model, 1,887 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BAF, 12 nm away

## 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 19910929043659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910929043659A), Sep 29, 1991: Cessna 182, Hadley, MA, Destroyed. Jumpers chute opened standing in doorway. Pulled him out. Fouled tail. Out of control. Pilot had to parachute also

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.