FlightFollowerCopilot exits airplane mid flight without parachute
Accident Facts
- Accident
- ERA22LA348
- Date
- 29 July 2022
- Aircraft
- CASA C212-200 N497CA
- Location
- Raeford, North Carolina / diversion to Raleigh-Durham International Airport
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 none
- Operation
- Part 91 skydiving
What Happened
On 29 July 2022, CASA C212-200 N497CA was conducting a skydiving operation near Raeford, North Carolina. After two skydiving runs, the crew returned to Raeford West Airport for another group. The second-in-command was flying the approach. The NTSB found that the airplane encountered windshear below the tree line; the right main landing gear struck the runway and separated.
The pilot in command took control, declared an emergency and decided to divert to Raleigh-Durham International Airport, where a longer runway and additional facilities were available. The damaged aircraft remained controllable enough for the diversion, but the right main landing gear and associated structure had been damaged.
The Fatal Decision During the Diversion
While en route to Raleigh-Durham, the second-in-command became upset about the hard landing. According to the investigation, he opened a cockpit window, felt sick, lowered the aft ramp, removed his headset and left his seat. He then exited the aircraft through the aft ramp without a parachute.
The pilot in command immediately notified ATC that the copilot had departed the aircraft and continued toward Raleigh-Durham alone. He performed an emergency landing. The airplane subsequently departed the right side of the runway and came to rest upright in the grass, sustaining additional substantial damage.
NTSB Finding
The NTSB's probable cause has two parts. First, windshear on landing caused the hard touchdown that tore off the right main gear. Second, the copilot chose to leave his seat in flight, and that led to his fall. By keeping the two apart, the report makes clear that the landing accident was survivable and that the death came from what happened afterwards in the cabin. The report also notes that there wasn't enough evidence to confirm the operator's view that the copilot had left the aircraft deliberately.
From the NTSB record
Although the PIC and operator reported that the SIC’s departure from the airplane was an intentional act, there was insufficient information to support that assertion. […]
Research and reconstruction
Flight Follower Editorial Team
This reconstruction was researched from official investigation records where they exist, the original air traffic control recording, and contemporary reporting. The aircraft movement, timeline and written account were assembled independently by Flight Follower. Where an investigation is open or no probable cause has been published, the account says so rather than offering one.
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