# NTSB SEA91LA034: Beech D50C, N833Q, Snohomish, WA, December 15, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 15, 1990, 13:36 local (21:36 UTC)
- Place: Snohomish, WA
- Coordinates: 47.940254, -121.999114 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9403&lon=-121.9991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41375
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41375/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA034

## Probable cause

THE OBSTRUCTION (PROTRUDING DOOR SUPPORT BRACKET) IN THE DOORWAY OF THE AIRCRAFT;  FAILURE OF THE COMPANY/OPERATOR PERSONNEL, THE PILOT, AND THE SKYDIVERS TO ASSURE THAT THE DOORWAY WAS CLEAR OF OBSTRUCTIONS;  AND SUBSEQUENT SNAGGING OF THE D-RING, WHICH RESULTED IN INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE PASSENGER'S (SKYDIVER'S) RESERVE PARACHUTE.

## Analysis

DURING A SKYDIVING OPERATION, THE AIRCRAFT WAS SLOWED TO SLOW CRUISE FLIGHT FOR A PARACHUTE JUMP. AS SKYDIVERS WERE MOVING TO THE EXIT DOOR FOR A GROUP JUMP, THE D-RING OF ONE SKYDIVER'S RESERVE PARACHUTE BECAME ENTANGLED ON A PROTRUDING CABIN DOOR SUPPORT BRACKET. THE RESERVE CHUTE DEPLOYED & WAS CAUGHT IN THE SLIP STREAM. THE SKYDIVER WAS THEN PULLED FROM THE OPEN DOOR. HE IMPACTED THE RIGHT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER, FELL 4000 FT TO THE GROUND & WAS FATALLY INJURED. MOST OF THE RIGHT STABILIZER WAS TORN FROM THE AIRCRAFT. AFTER ITS SEPARATION, THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A DIVE & THE REMAINING SKYDIVERS JUMPED FROM THE PLANE. ONE OF THE OTHER SKYDIVERS WAS IN THE DOORWAY WHEN THE ACCIDENT SEQUENCE BEGAN. HE HELD ONTO THE AIRCRAFT FOR A MOMENT AS IT SHUDDERED & STARTED TO DIVE, THEN 'LET GO.'  DURING THE OCCURRENCE, HE RECEIVED A MINOR INJURY. THE PILOT REGAINED CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT & MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT AN AIRPORT WITH A LONG RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, cruise
  - door - other (cause)
  - maintenance,modification - improper, company/operator management (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsafe/hazardous condition - not identified, passenger (cause)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,parachute/drag chute - deployed inadvertently (cause)
- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - other person

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N833Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N833Q), registered now, S/N DH-290, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH D50C
- Registry model: [Beech D50C](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d50c) (registry code 1152520) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-480 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-480-series) (registry code 41527, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: DH-290
- Engines: LYCOMING GO-480-G2D6 295 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Skydiving, Part 91
- Operator: Snohomish Parachute Ctr
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: S43, SNOHOMISH, WA
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,104 total, 110 in this make and model, 2,021 as pilot in command, 114 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAE, 6 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 19901215054349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901215054349A), Dec 15, 1990: Beech D50C, Shohomish, WA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Jumpers pilot chute snagged door support bracket. Opened pulled him out. Body severed right stabilizer streamered.

## Other investigations on N833Q (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB FTW78FPD23](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78FPD23-141283), Jun 26, 1978: Beech B-50C (N833Q), Minerals Wells, TX, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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