The question about whether single-engine planes versus multi-engine planes are safer has been asked recently. Until now I had not grouped the jump plane accidents here in those types of categories. You can click here to see the results that will update as accidents are added to the database.

November 22, 2013 saw the official re-launch of DiverDriver.com. I want to thank Christy West for her unfailing dedication to helping me see this website flourish. If it wasn’t for her I could not do what you see now. Also, this December will be the 14th anniversary of the original launch of the website in 2000.

More than likely your first skydive was an exciting adventure that was a seamless process, at least hopefully it was from your point of view.

I have gone through the Accident data section for the Cessna 206 and differentiated between P-206, U-206 and added a new aircraft category for Turbo-Charged 206 which will include both P-206 and U-206 turbo accidents.

How many of you would say that you had adequate, in depth training to be a DiverDriver? Did you come to that first 182 job already “checked out” in 182s or did the DZ train you? When I was first hired that was the norm to already have time in type and then they would train you for the jump pilot part of the job.

The widow of a Brooklyn man killed last year in an unlikely airplane accident has filed a lawsuit claiming that negligence by a skydiving company and pilot caused her husband’s death.

For many decades as DiverDrivers, we have known of “the Money Shot.” You know the one–the last jumper exits and the plane rolls and dives to stay in view of the camera as the tandem goes into drogue fall.

On May 9, 2014, about 1400 eastern daylight time, a Pacific Aerospace Corp 750XL, N750SS, experienced a left main landing gear separation following a hard landing and subsequent go-around at Warrenton Air Park

The topic of what is best rate of climb speed for a particular aircraft came up recently. I saw quite a conversation of “what she likes best”

All of the following events took place during our spring 2013 season here at Skydive Arizona. Some have been repeated several times.

A blocked fuel vent caused an engine failure on a 206 while climbing with jumpers.

Sad news from Australia. A Cessna 206 has crashed during the takeoff phase with a pilot and four jumpers. More information as it becomes available.

Thanks to Chris Rosenfelt of CaravanPilot.com for the contribution to our aircraft section! Check it out.

USPA is once again entertaining Safety Day March 8, 2014 for skydivers. It’s a day designed to refresh everyone on managing the threats associated with skydiving. Often dropzones will have their pilot or visiting pilot give talks on aircraft safety to the local skydivers.

Order up! You can now order a DiverDriver.com hat or shirt or both!

Let’s face it. We build up time in our planes pretty quick. We become confident in our control and satisfied with our precision. However, at some point you may be asked to ferry your aircraft to another location to fly jumpers. This may seem like no big deal as we’ve all done cross country flights to attain our licenses. Right?

Observe this YouTube video of a Caravan.

Flipped over during forced landing following loss of engine power. Spanish article.  

Flipped over during forced landing following loss of engine power. Spanish article.  

Witbank,South Africa,c2001:  During a normal day’s flying our C205A,someone assisted me with a refuel. I ,stupidly,neglected to check the fuel caps. All was normal on the climb to 9000ft,dispached the load and started the descent where upon fuel started to flow into the cabin through my door and window and through the airvent,soaking the dash and me. I was supposed to call FAJS approach by now,decided not to touch anything at all! After a flap-less landing,I pulled the big red knob and walked away. Left everything switched on until,maybe an hour later,I returned in fresh attire to kill all the electrics! Had to make a call to FAJS to explain my silence! DD.com comments: Many operations do use “fuelers”.  But they MUST be fully checked out on how to safely do it.  From the sounds of the description here it may not have been a regular occurrence having someone else fuel the aircraft. I once had something similar happen after a fueling in a Twin Otter.  Jet-A was streaming out of the aft tank fueler port.  Fortunately at a safe altitude a jumper was actually able to reach the cap and stow it.  A long debrief and refueling...