Deland Airport Accident

[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

 

[Flechas]

Hahaha I heard that a few years ago, and left the pattern....

 

[FracCapt]

1. http://www.dropzone.com/news/CanadianskydiverdiesinFl.shtml
Canadian Skydiver, Stephane Drapeau, 30, from Beloeil, Que 14 Apr 2005

2001, not 2005. http://www.dropzone.com/news/CanadianskydiverdiesinFl.shtml

2. Chantal Bonitto, a 31-year-old New Yorker, died Dec. 27

Dec 27, 2000.
http://www.dropzone.com/news/SkydiverfallstodeathinDe.shtml

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.

This one is correct. Jan 4, 2005.

4. I cant find the other one now, but I think it was at birdman.com - one of his firiends in march

So far, you're 1 for 4. Care to try again?

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

Based on your current track record so far this post, I have the inclination to doubt this one. Sorry dude, but you apparently didn't research your claims.

 

[Fly_Chick]

Just to clarify a bit of information... Chantal Bonito passed away December 27, 2000. She was a friend of mine, and I have avoided using DeLand as I did not want the sad memories popping up. Her parachute failed, she performed a cutaway. She then tried to use her reserve, which apparently also failed. I believe there has not been a definitive answer to what happened.

Always, always, always, tune in the local frequency whenever you are flying near a DZ while on VFR. The pilots will announce their intentions of an upcoming drop, and will also announce their drop progress (2 mins to jumping, jumping in progress). You can also call the local frequency and ask if there is skydiving in progress or even call the local drop plane for an update while they are in the air.

If on IFR, ATC is talking with the drop plane, and ATC will usually vector you around it.

All pilots should maintain vigilance in these areas.

My heart goes out to all in this most recent incident.

 

[Flechas]

What sucks is when they are jumping when they shouldn't be, like when there's a low overcast, they don't tell anyone...

 

[PaulThomas]

I've heard Miami Center broadcast their warning message about jumpers being droped for Marathon a few time (and I almost never listen to center).

However, I've looked up online to see if there was a DZ there and nothing came up. Anyone knows if there is one, if it's just a bunch of friends doing their thing or what the deal is?

 

[EDUC8-or]

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.

Already avoided. I have personally experienced jumpers cross the active in front of me below roughly 100'-300' on two occaisions. Add to that RAA based on the field and now OMN and EVB are controlled so that place gets like a bee's nest with airplanes alone. I do feel skydivers have their right to the sky, DED is all yours as far as I'm concerned. If I survived a collision with a skydiver I'm not sure if I could mentally prepare myself to fly again.

 

[navigator72]

God Bless

God Bless all those affected by this tragedy.

Fly safe
jump safe

 

[FracCapt]

I've heard Miami Center broadcast their warning message about jumpers being droped for Marathon a few time (and I almost never listen to center).

However, I've looked up online to see if there was a DZ there and nothing came up. Anyone knows if there is one, if it's just a bunch of friends doing their thing or what the deal is?

There's a DZ at Sugarloaf called Skydive Key West. As for Marathon, the only time I know of that there is any regular skydiving going on is in November each year there is a Keys Boogie. It's usually just a 3-5 day event. It's an awesome time...

http://www.danovisionproductions.com/dano/2004keysboogie.htm

 

[Ill Mitch]

Or give you advisories, as the jumpers wiz past the window..

And this surprises you when you fly past the DZ that is marked on the charts?

 

[Ill Mitch]

No, not at all. Just saying, if we're IFR, it wouldn't hurt to vector us a little bit away from the DZ. We were looking for jumpers and knew they would be near us.

I guess it depends on the ATC facility. Out west, it has been my experience that ATC vectors airplanes way out of the way around active DZ's. Never flew that much around DZ's when I was FL so I don't know what it is like there.
But when I am travelling x-country and I see that there is a DZ, regardless if I am IFR or VFR, I give it some room.