Midair collision-all 11 parachute to safety

[N601RX]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/03/newser-planes-collide/3418241/

 

[201er]

I wonder how the pilots made it? I doubt they fly wearing chutes. Was there a spare on board or did they hang onto someone?

[Awqward]

One guy grabbed an emergency chute and jumped....the other guy managed to land

[aviatoreb]

One guy grabbed an emergency chute and jumped....the other guy managed to land

 

Wow - that is like in a Bugs Bunny cartoon to actually be able to grab a chute, put it on, and jump out safely, all the while in an airplane falling out of the sky. Simply amazing.  Someone was smiling on him that day.

[Bob]

Wow - that is like in a Bugs Bunny cartoon to actually be able to grab a chute, put it on, and jump out safely, all the while in an airplane falling out of the sky. Simply amazing.  Someone was smiling on him that day.

Yes amazing! 

Also the other pilot, getting all the jumpers out and then landing.  I can not think of any higher work load!  Fly the plane, fly the plane...fly the plane.  Well done by all involved!

[PMcClure]

Today (NBC) reported that the following ac was caught in the "tailwind" of the lead plane causing the accident. Lol!

[Bob]

Did all jumpers head crosswind and then fall downwind?

[fantom]

What's up doc  (or dent)?

 

[DanM20C]

I bet several of the Jumpers had GoPros running.  It should make for some exciting videos.

[RocketAviator]

Wow is all I can think of.. Beyond luck!

[N601RX]

Here is a video of the entire event. It looks like both planes had skydivers and just slowly came together.

http://t.mediaite.com/mediaite/#!/entry/video-planes-collide-in-terrifying-skydiving-accident-caught-on-tape,527836f3b7d8d24162acdb0a

[PMcClure]

WOW!

[aviatoreb]

Everyone was wearing helmet cams.

[N601RX]

Here is the most complete video I have saw as well as interviews with them.

http://www.today.com/video/today/53465188/#53465188

[Hank]

I really feel for the jumper hanging below the strut at impact. Looks like he may have some bruised ribs. It was almost funny watching him try to figure out which plane he was on, and if that was the one he wanted to be on.

[Marauder]

It was even more amazing that the pilot got out.

[fantom]

The pilot of the high plane was probably checking his lap for ADS-B traffic, rather than using his eyes to look outside the plane.

[Hank]

It was even more amazing that the pilot got out.

He had quite some motivation! The intact plane had quite a dive going, too. Hope to never have my Mooney in a similar attitude.

[Marauder]

The pilot of the high plane was probably checking his lap for ADS-B traffic, rather than using his eyes to look outside the plane.

 

Gary -- I think he was trying to figure out how to program his new Garmin GTN.

[Piloto]

Very impressive video, thanks. Wonder if the piots knew they where close to each other where they were looking. At least they could have call on the radio when lost sight and change altitude. Forget about ADS-B get a parachute. That will be the next FAA mandate.

 

José 

[N601RX]

Interview with pilot in the plane that lost a wing.

 

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/11/08/21351778-no-control-skydivers-pilot-recounts-death-defying-leap-from-burning-plane?lite

[kerry]

Just watched on Dateline last night.  If this happened to a mooney wing I doubt the wings would fall off like it did on the Cessna.  I'm still amazed the pilot out with a safety chute. 

[aviatoreb]

Just watched on Dateline last night.  If this happened to a mooney wing I doubt the wings would fall off like it did on the Cessna.  I'm still amazed the pilot out with a safety chute. 

 

Don't be so sure.  But let's never try this experiment.

[rainman]

Pilots flying jumpers are wear parachutes. As a skydiver who has done lots of these "formation" loads, the video appears to show the trail plane way out of position. Normally the trail plane is below and to the left. The lead plane doesn't make corrections once the door is open, and doesn't cut power. The video appears to show the trail plane above and closing from the left?? Something definitely wrong. I'll wait for the NTSB report.

[Seth]

The wing folded around what looks like the main landing gear of the 185. If a 185 main gear hit a Mooney wing in flight in the right location . . .

It would probably snap off the cessna gear and the Mooney would keep flying

In all seriousness, with the strutted wing of the cessna and the gear hitting the top of the wing, I can see how the aerodynamics may have also caused it to rip off, especially of the strut connection point was damaged at the same time.

I'm not sure what would happen with a Mooney in that situation - it could more likely be main gear in the cockpit or cabin area, or knocking the vertical stabilizer which could lead to negative results.

-Seth