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2013 C-182 C-185 Formation Flying Formation Flying Non-Fatal Non-Fatal Single-Engine Superior WI

C-182L/C-185 Non-Fatal Superior, WI November 2, 2013

A Cessna 182L (182), the lead airplane, and a Cessna 185F (185), the trail airplane, collided during a
formation skydiving flight. Both pilots flew the airplanes in a rectangular pattern until they reached the
jump altitude of 12,700 ft mean sea level. The 182 pilot established a jump heading and visually
confirmed that the 185 was to the left side and aft of the 182. The 182 pilot then called out “door open”
and jumpers “climbing out.” Subsequently, the four skydivers on board the 182 climbed out onto the
airplane’s right wing strut and right wheel step. Almost immediately, the 182 was struck by the 185. The
182’s windshield was shattered, and the airplane entered an uncontrollable descent. During the descent,
the right wing separated from the airplane, and the right wing fuel tank exploded. The 182 pilot exited
the airplane and parachuted safely to the ground. The 185 pilot reported that “when it was time for the
skydivers to climb out, the two planes began to drift together and in seemingly no time at all, the two
were colliding.” After the collision, the skydivers on board the 185 jumped from the airplane as it
inverted; the pilot was able to recover the airplane and land.

Video of the collision from NBC News

Read the NTSB report.

DD.com Blog discussion.

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1 2010 C-185 Fatal Fatal Single-Engine Loss of Aircraft Control Newfane NY

C-185 Fatal (1) Newfane, NY August 1, 2010

The airplane was departing for a skydiving flight. During rotation, the jump door opened, which was located on the right side of the airplane. The pilot said that he was not concerned with the door, which would not have critically impacted the airplane’s performance; however, an experienced parachutist attempted to secure the door to the point where he was partially outside of the airplane.

Read the NTSB report…

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1999 C-185 Loss of Aircraft Control Non-Fatal Non-Fatal Single-Engine

C-185 Non-Fatal Beckwourth, CA July 9, 1999

The pilot said he was landing on runway 25 and encountered a dust devil on touchdown. The airplane veered off the runway and into the dirt area beside the pavement, collapsing the right main landing gear.

Read the NTSB report…

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1991 C-185 Loss of Aircraft Control Non-Fatal Non-Fatal Single-Engine

C-185 Non-Fatal New Hanover, PA May 12, 1991

During the takeoff on runway 31, the pilot did not maintain directional control, because of the cross wind from the left. The airplane exited the grass runway and struck a ditch. The pilot had 12.6 hours total flight time in the cessna 185c. The wind was reported to be from 200 to 220 degrees at 12 knots.

Read the NTSB report…

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1983 C-185 Loss of Aircraft Control Non-Fatal Non-Fatal Single-Engine

C-185 Non-Fatal Mound Valley, KS July 4, 1983

The plt took off from a small arpt to reposition the acft on a road to pick up sky divers. During the landing, he lost control of the acft & it swerved off the road & hit a tree.

Read the NTSB report…