Dean Ricci’s experience with aircraft emergencies offers important lessons for every skydiver
The Engine Failed
It was a catastrophic failure of the Caravan’s engine. The Blackhawk conversion seized so violently and completely that the propeller failed to feather. At an altitude of only 2,300 feet, it left little time for anything outside of pure reaction. With the prop creating an incredible amount of drag, the pilot had no choice but to point the aircraft at a brutal descent angle to keep from stalling.
In the back, the door had been open for all of 30 seconds. Half of the jumpers had yet to unbuckle their seatbelts, and only two jumpers sitting on the floor had moved from their positions for takeoff. One of those jumpers was standing up next to the door when the failure occurred, and was quickly covered with oil venting furiously out of the engine cowling. He was moments from bailing out on his reserve just as the pilot entered his aggressive dive for airspeed, and it was only another jumper onboard demanding everyone maintain their positions and prepare for a forced landing that kept everyone in place.
Less than thirty seconds later, the Caravan was on the ground. Due to the quick reactions of the pilot and in no small part, the discipline of the jumpers, only minor injuries were sustained. The aircraft was a total loss.
Holy fucking shit, right?
The Caravan burned to the ground. Literally. The pilot ended up with a nasty gash on his scalp, and a few jumpers had strains and bruises, but that was it. Realistically, they beat the odds.
The Choice That Saved Everyone
Had the standing jumper decided to bail just as the pilot was struggling to maintain airspeed, or even worse, when he nosed the aircraft over as much as was required, there was a high probability he would have gone straight into the tail—game over. Had other jumpers pushed their way toward the door in the hopes of getting out, no amount of pitch down would have kept the wings from stalling—again, game over. Everybody’s dead.
Everyone onboard that aircraft was responsible for saving their lives. Yes, the pilot was flying the plane, but each and every one of the jumpers in the back showed amazing restraint in staying in place. Put yourself in their shoes even for a moment and you start to realize just how hard doing nothing must have been—yet it was exactly the right thing to do.
There Is No Formula for Emergencies
So, that begs the question: What should you do in an aircraft emergency?
The truth is, there is no set formula for emergency situations. There are just too many possibilities. Each aircraft is different, as is each operation. Although many dropzones cover emergency procedures on Safety Day, not everyone can attend the lectures—and on the daily, you’re not likely to casually come across jumpers talking about how to deal with an engine fire on an Otter at 5,000 feet. So what do to? Well, that’s where your role as a vigilant jumper comes in.
Just like those jumpers on the Caravan, on every single load you will ever fly on, you have the opportunity to potentially save lives. Knowing your operations emergency procedures is not only something you should want to know, but I would argue is your very real responsibility.
Ask yourself these questions: do I know what to do in an emergency situation on the aircraft I’m about to board? Do I know the various key altitudes, like when to remove your seatbelt, or when the door can be opened? What altitude is a no go on exit, and when should I be heading towards the door? Do I wait for commands from the captain, or lights, or does this operation have a load master onboard?
I could list another hundred questions for you to ponder, but the easiest way for you to prepare for any emergency is to ask the operation, the pilot, or both. I promise you, they have plans in place—and if they don’t, find another operation.
From the Pilot’s Seat
As a jump pilot, I can tell you firsthand that during an emergency, I have a lot of things going on that won’t allow me to bark instructions to jumpers in the back—which is why it is so imperative that everyone onboard know exactly what’s expected of them should the shit hit the fan—and that’s not just in an emergency. Knowing what’s going on during every phase of flight—from loading to landing—is something you should be intimately aware of.
Photo by Daniel Angulo
The Loading Area
- Have your dirt dive finished before the plane pulls up.
Nothing is more frustrating than watching the clock run while jumpers try to figure out their slot and first point with the prop spinning. - Everyone is responsible for keeping everyone else away from the propellers.
A shouting pilot is hard to hear with an engine running. Even if the engine is off, stay away from the shiny, spinny, limb-removing thing and stop anyone else headed toward it. - Know your exit order before you get in.
That way you can load quickly, sit down, and keep the turn moving. - If you’re trying to help—loading, disconnecting the power cart, assisting an observer—make sure you actually know what you’re doing.
If you’re not sure, ask. Otherwise, let someone else handle it.
Seat Belts
- If you choose not to wear your seatbelt for takeoff or landing, you may end up in the FAA report twice—once as a victim, and again as the cause of someone else’s injuries.
- Your camera helmet needs to be secured just as much as you do.
It’s not just gear. It’s a projectile if the aircraft stops abruptly. People aren’t being assholes when they remind you to strap it down, they just don’t want it to take their heads off. - Take your seatbelt off when you’re supposed to.
If you leave it on too long, you create a potential bottleneck in an emergency. - The pilot can be violated if the FAA sees unsecured passengers, so wear your belt!
No pilot means no jumps. If they get “spanked” by the FAA, see how much extra altitude you get afterward. (I’m just sayin”…)
The Ride to Altitude
- Have fun, but responsibly.
No need to scream your love of skydiving at full volume. It’s distracting, unnecessary, and potentially confusing during a critical phase of flight. - Keep movement to a minimum.
Constant shifting throws off the trim and creates extra work. Trust me: on a 12-hour day, every small courtesy helps. - Keep your eyes open.
You have a view the pilot doesn’t. If something looks wrong, on the aircraft or among the jumpers, say something. - If you need to speak to the pilot, get to the point.
Distractions can cause bad spots, altitude issues, or worse.
Jump Run, Exits & Freefall
- Respect the signals.
Jump lights or no jump lights, the pilot has information you don’t—other aircraft, air-traffic instructions, sudden wind shifts. If the signal hasn’t been given, there is a reason. Wait. - Use the exit order you sorted out on the ground.
Know your separation, know your climb-out time, and get on with it. The door is not the place for conversation, and delays mess with the spot for everyone behind you, usually tandem instructors who already have plenty to handle. - If the DZ spots for you, let the pilot miss the spot before you try to “fix” it.
We know our airspeed, groundspeed, distance, and the winds at every level. Give us a chance.
If the spot is off, politely let the pilot know where you opened. They may not realize it. - If you can’t see the ground because of clouds, tell your pilot.
Jumpers rarely face consequences for punching clouds; the pilot, however, absolutely does.
Wingsuiters especially, even if you had to fly half a mile to reach it, it’s still the pilot’s certificate on the line. And that cloud could hide another aircraft.
In the End
Like most jump pilots I know, I absolutely love skydiving. Flying jumpers and diving the plane back down for another load is one of the best gigs in aviation. The people, the atmosphere, and the sport are why I’ve stayed in it so long.
The tips and critiques here aren’t just operational annoyances, they’re safety issues. With few exceptions, every jump pilot I know feels personally responsible for the people on board. They’re not just passengers, they’re fellow skydivers and often friends.
It’s all about having an amazing time responsibly and safely, and knowing what to do. Especially when it all goes wrong.
Blue Skies!
