The pilot reported that the accident flight was his second skydiving flight of the morning and that the
airplane was performing “normally” as it had during the first flight. During climbout, he noted that the
engine cylinder head temperatures were in the “normal” range. When the airplane reached about 4,000 ft
mean sea level, the engine experienced a total loss of power, and, about 1 minute later, the propeller
stopped windmilling. The pilot conducted an off-airport landing to a nearby highway. During the
landing roll, and to avoid impacting vehicles on the highway, the pilot guided the airplane onto the
median, and the wings and horizontal stabilizer impacted several road signs, which resulted in
substantial damage to the airplane.
Category: C-205
The pilot reported that, shortly after the skydiving flight departed, the engine experienced a “mechanical
failure” and that he then executed a forced landing in a farm field south of the airport. The airplane
nosed over in the mud, which resulted in structural damage to the airframe.
During a postaccident test run of the engine on the airframe, lower-than-normal exhaust gas temperature
indications were observed on the engine’s left-side (Nos. 2, 4, and 6) cylinders. Excessive soot and
smoke were also observed on the engine’s left side. During a subsequent test run, the engine initially did
not achieve full power. Further examination revealed that both of the No. 2 cylinder intake valve springs
were fractured, and visible rust was observed on the surfaces of the springs. The springs showed
evidence of fatigue fractures that had originated from rust pits on the fracture surfaces. After the valve
springs were replaced, the engine was capable of operating normally at full power.
Inside video of the accident.
The pilot said that he normally flew the airplane with the fuel selector positioned to the right main fuel tank during skydiving operations. However, on the day of the accident, maintenance was performed on the airplane, and three engine run-ups were performed using the left main fuel tank.
Witnesses observed the airplane depart to the north, and experience a partial loss of power during the takeoff climb. The airplane then began a turn to the left, and initiated what appeared to be a right base entry for a landing on runway 20. The airplane continued the turn, past 270 degrees, and as it flew beyond the end of the runway, the engine appeared to regain power and the airplane began a climb.
The airplane departed on a parachuting flight with 5 parachutists on board. Several witnesses reported hearing the airplane during climb out. Each witness described smooth engine noise, brief ‘sputtering,’ and then a total loss of engine power. The airplane descended straight ahead at the same pitch attitude, then the nose dropped, a parachutist exited, and the airplane entered a spiraling descent.
A passenger-parachutist stated she had exited the cabin and was on the jump platform preparing to jump from about 3,500 feet when the left wing and nose dropped and the aircraft entered a spin to the left. After an unknown number of revolutions she jumped from the aircraft and deployed her chute
Aircraft was attempting to land by use of vehicle lights. The aircraft touched down in soft terrain to the right of the runway and nosed over.