Probable cause
The inadvertent deployment of a skydiver's parachute, which struck the right horizontal stabilizer.
NTSB analysis
As a skydiver was exiting the airplane, his parachute inadvertently deployed and struck the right horizontal stabilizer. He deployed his reserve parachute and landed without further incident. After all the skydivers had exited the airplane, the pilot saw that the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator were damaged. After an uneventful landing, postaccident examination revealed the right stabilizer spar was bent.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN12LA549 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 28, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Rose Hill, Kansas
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 182D
- N-number
- N8882X
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Skydiving
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.