cessna 182 crash at ashbourne 1975

[ryan7480]

Hi
As a researcher I have joined this, and other, forums to seek info from the proffesionals!
On 18th October 1975 a cessna 182 became entangled in a parachute and crashed somewhere near ashbourne airfield in Derbyshire. Does anyone have any memories, comments or, ideally a photo of this event???

A long shot I appreciate, but you never know.
Cheers

[Mr_Grubby]

I found this on the Net.

Clint.





In 1978 I trained for my first parachute jump, at Shobden airfield in Wales. I was pretty amazed to see a picture in a magazine of an entire airplane coming down on a parachute. I spent several years searching for more info on the event. Nobody believed the photographic evidence I had seen. Finally, I got the full details on the event on Usenet!
Here are the details (from "Into the Silk" 1978, by Ian Mackersay, Mayflower Books)




Place: Ashbourne airfield, Derbyshire (UK)
Date: October 18, 1975
People involved: Ken Miller (pilot)
Derek Scofield (jumpmaster)
Stewart Avent (parachute student)
Frances Ives (parachute student)
Parachute: Standard 24 ft. Irvin chute.
Aircraft : Cessna 182
Witnesses: Peter Denley (instructor)
Eddie McBride (photographer)



Stewart Avent was the second of three parachutists. As he jumped, his chute got entangled in the aricraft's step and undercarriage. Scofield tried to cut him loose, but before he had succeeded Avent thought he had been cut free and released his reserve.

Avent suffered a sprained back. The others had cuts and serious multiple fractures. Only Miller was awarded a gold caterpillar (as he hadn't gotten into the plane with the intention to jump). (The award is made for someone whose life was saved by a parachute, not being a sport parachutist).

btw. The photographer had his camera ready, and the picture is in the book.

[KZ8]

There is also a write-up in 'The Best of Sport Parachutist 1964-1979', published by the British Parachute Association, including two photos by Mr Eddie McBride. One shows the aircraft dangling upside-down under the 'chute, the other in a bit of a heap on the ground.

Suggest contacting British Parachute Association.

Best

KZ8

[ryan7480]

Guys

Many thanks. the first post was most useful, I've chased up the BPA as well, see what transpires.
Again thanks.

[Onan the Clumsy]

I have a book with a pic of an aircraft coming down with a parachutist caught on the tailwheel. I don't remember it as a 182 (or I suppose a 180). This is why I always wear a rig when I fly jumpers.

I have also seen a pic of the side ripped out of a 182 when someone let a pilot chute get out of the door. I'll research tonight if I can.

isn't Ashbourne in Kent? or is that Ashdown?

[Shaggy Sheep Driver]

Ashbourne is in Derbyshire between Leek and Derby, on the southern edge of the beutiful Peak national park. I, too, have a copy of 'into the silk', which has the story and the picture of this bizare accident.

SSD

[ShyTorque]

Ryan,

I arrived at Ashbourne Aerodrome (as we knew it) shortly after the accident; I lived a few miles away and used to go there occasionally; the field was used for R/C model aircraft as well as the parachute club flying.

As I recall, local objections over noise issues had meant that the council had given the parachute club notice to cease operating - this might have been its last day.

The front page of a Sunday newspaper the following day showed the photo of the aircraft, coming down nose first and partly upside down, suspended under Avent's reserve chute. The headline went something like:

"Hero Parachutist Saves Stricken Aircraft!"

The article went on to explain along the lines of how Avent grabbed the aircraft after the engine stalled, held onto it, and opened his chute, saving all their lives......

That isn't what happened of course, Mr. Grubby's account IS accurate (see below how I know).

They were all extremely lucky to survive; the aircraft came down on the eastern side of the field, onto a relatively soft area of ground used for testing by local excavator company, JCB.

I joined the RAF in 1976. One night in 1977, at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, at the dinner table, someone began telling the story of the accident and I joined in the conversation. Another student pilot, recently arrived on the station, also joined in and told us the TRUE story. It was young Stewart Avent; none of us knew t'was him till then!

He didn't complete pilot training, I think he later re-roled as a Navigator.

[Onan the Clumsy]

gotit

Date: March 1963
Location: Frejorgue France
Jumper: Chionni
Pilot: Christian de la Beaume
Aircraft: Looks like an AN2 or 10
Incident: Jumper hung up on the tail, both canopies deployed
Injuries: Pilot broke leg, jumper no injuries, aircraft "slightly damaged"