Deland Airport Accident

[GravityHater]

Just heard on the diver forum that the jumper has passed away. RIP and may we all learn something from it that will prevent it from happening again.

 

[mnixon]

Hey, just curious why if Deland is such a danger zone (DZ?), being one of the world's biggest skydiving dropzones, that something like this has never happened before? I have many jumps at Deland and used to be a jump pilot at numerous DZ's. I think the most dangerous activities happening at DED, are all the dumb a$$ ERAU pilots. Please remember, skydivers in the air have just as much of a right as you do flyin an airplane. Over half of the jumpers at Deland are professionals or on world class skydiving teams and make over a 1,000 jumps a year there. 75% of the skydiving industry is also based in Deland. About 800-1,000 jumps take place every single sunny day in Deland. I seriously doubt aircraft landings even come close to that figure. If you are an inexperienced pilot and are afraid of jumpers being included in your airspace, you can simply avoid places like DED, it's marked as a parachuting center.

I agree that we need to share airspace, but both need to see and avoid. I've had meat rockets look right at me when passing in front of me in my flare that came out of nowhere. If anything, the pilots are the cautious ones at that airport.

 

[Flechas]

RIP for that guy, what a shame. In my two years instructing there tried to avoid DED as much as I could.....

 

[FracCapt]

Unfortunately, Gus Wing died today at about 1500. Gus was a great guy, I spent many days jumping with him, many nights partying with him. Something went terribly wrong today which resulted in Gus and the Twin Otter he exited meeting at approximately 600'-800'AGL over the runway. I've heard some details, but at this point everything is a blur as I am devastated by this.

Rest in peace, brother.

BSBD

 

[moxiepilot]

I believe he passed at halifax. The amazing part is after the legs were sheared off, the diver maneuvered the parachute for landing.

In response to other posts, there are an average of 250 jumps a day totaling 87,000 per year. That's some busy dirt dart dodging. No disrespect to the deceased.

In the past 5 months there have been at least 4 deaths as well as numerous minor and major injuries. This can't be good for business.

But also in response to some posts, a few of the oblivious have no idea what safety is, that includes Skydive Deland employees. I have seen them drive the truck in front of a plane taking off. The pilot had to rotate early to avoid a collision.

Hopefully there wont be any more incidents for a time...

 

[FracCapt]

For those of you that fly into DED...whether for pleasure or instruction...please, PLEASE be extremely careful. I've had a few near misses there myself(as a skydiver), and each time it was as a result of an airplane flying over the main landing area at a low altitude. Skydive Deland briefs skydivers not to cross any runway below 1000'AGL, but occasionally people cross at a lower altitude - such as today. Gus was at about 600-800'AGL, according to reports. Gus and the pilot were very good friends, so the pilot is in extremely bad shape over this.


I've seen many pilots takeoff from runway 12 and make an early turnout southbound, and fly right over our landing area at 200-500'. Most of us open our parachutes at 3,000', and start our pattern at 1,000' or so. If you have a choice, AVOID DELAND. This serves to make it safer for YOU, ME, and ALL the other skydivers there. Keep in mind....Deland is an EXTREMELY busy dropzone, with somewhat limited sized landing areas compared to other DZ's. The main landing area is at the SE corner of the airport(for experienced jumpers only), but there are several other designated landing areas around the airport....such as the grass area just south of 12/30, the entire length of the runway. That's the primary student landing area.

DON'T think that you know what a skydiver is about to do. If we see you, we will do what it takes to avoid you....but sometimes a skydiver doesn't expect a plane to be an issue until it makes a turn, or they just plain don't see it. If you expect me to fly straight and make gentle turns at 1000'AGL, you'd be suprised when you see how I really set up for landing.

It's ironic that Gus was killed by the same plane he exited from...but it could have been any airplane, so please be careful!

BSBD

 

[FracCapt]

In response to other posts, there are an average of 250 jumps a day totaling 87,000 per year.

I'd say that an average of 250 jumps per day in the summertime is about right....but in the winter, it's much more. I've been at Deland on a Wednesday in the winter when there were almost 30 loads flown(at an average of 18-20 jumpers per load), and I've seen 75 loads on the weekend flown with 3-4 airplanes.

In the past 5 months there have been at least 4 deaths as well as numerous minor and major injuries. This can't be good for business.

Skydivers are not idiots....they know there is inherant danger when you step out of an airplane in flight. I don't recall 4 deaths in the past 5 months. Care to cite your sources?

BTW, most of the deaths are a result of skydiver error under a fully functional canopy....similar to pilot error in a perfectly good flying airplane.

I have seen them drive the truck in front of a plane taking off. The pilot had to rotate early to avoid a collision.

Ok...I have to throw the BS flag here. Did this happen to YOU, PERSONALLY? Did you SEE IT, firsthand? Or did you just hear about it from CFI's and students that are blowing things completely out of proportion?

 

[Flechas]

I feel your loss FracCapt, it's really hard to lose a friend that way.

How long have you been jumping out of DED?

 

[PCL_128]

RIP Gus. I can't imagine how terrible this must be for the pilot also.

 

[FracCapt]

How long have you been jumping out of DED?

About 5 years. It's not my home DZ, but I jump there on occasion. I used to jump there a couple days a week. Especially during the summer on the weekdays, it's the place to be....they'll fly five times as many loads as any other local DZ.

 

[CF34-3B1]

This wouldn't have to do with the engrish that some training pilots "read, speak and understand" would it?

Nu

My favorite all time radio conversation. (and yes, it really happened)

N118AT: "Daytona approaching, I am 118AT for landing please." (use your best middle eastern accent)

ATC: "N118AT Approach, say your position. Are you landing Daytona?"

N118AT: "Yes, for landing, thank you."

ATC: "N118AT, say your position, over."

N118AT: "Yes, I am for landing to Daytona, thank you."

ATC: "N118AT, SAY YOUR POSITION!"

N118AT: responds with some unintelligible muttering that would no doubt scramble the FANG F15s in a post 9-11 world....

finally, after several more attempts;

ATC: "N118AT, are you over DeLand?"

N118AT: "No, I am over de water."

 

[Flechas]

"Traffic, 123AT turning final for runway X"

Talk about scary!!

 

[moxiepilot]

I don't recall 4 deaths in the past 5 months. Care to cite your sources?

I appreciate your scepticism, but sure, I can:
1. http://www.dropzone.com/news/CanadianskydiverdiesinFl.shtml
Canadian Skydiver, Stephane Drapeau, 30, from Beloeil, Que 14 Apr 2005
2. Chantal Bonitto, a 31-year-old New Yorker, died Dec. 27
3. http://www.540wfla.com/010305.html
A skydiver critically injured Tuesday in a skydiving accident near Deland has died. He’s been identified at 28-year-old Jan Kadie.
4. I cant find the other one now, but I think it was at birdman.com - one of his firiends in march

Ok...I have to throw the BS flag here. Did this happen to YOU, PERSONALLY? Did you SEE IT, firsthand? Or did you just hear about it from CFI's and students that are blowing things completely out of proportion?

Happened to me. Could see the eyes of the terrified jumpers in the truck.

 

[Flechas]

Yeah but it's really scary when they try to land in the runway with a big "X" at the end...

 

[NuGuy]

My favorite all time radio conversation. (and yes, it really happened)

N118AT: "Daytona approaching, I am 118AT for landing please." (use your best middle eastern accent)

ATC: "N118AT Approach, say your position. Are you landing Daytona?"

N118AT: "Yes, for landing, thank you."

ATC: "N118AT, say your position, over."

N118AT: "Yes, I am for landing to Daytona, thank you."

ATC: "N118AT, SAY YOUR POSITION!"

N118AT: responds with some unintelligible muttering that would no doubt scramble the FANG F15s in a post 9-11 world....

finally, after several more attempts;

ATC: "N118AT, are you over DeLand?"

N118AT: "No, I am over de water."

Meh....I swear fiction has NOTHING on reality....

Nu