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From: alcmist@ssc-vax.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.rec.skydive
Subject: lodestar crash repost
Message-ID: <150@ssc-vax.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 17-May-84 11:42:40 EDT
Article-I.D.: ssc-vax.150
Posted: Thu May 17 11:42:40 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 22-May-84 01:06:13 EDT
Organization: Boeing Aerospace, Seattle
Lines: 22

Today in Washington the National Transportation Safety Board released
their findings about the August 1983 crash of a Lockheed Learstar 
jumpship which killed 9 jumpers and 2 pilots.

To summarize, they said the crash was caused by the failure of the 
operator of the aircraft and the pilot in command to review the effect
that the jumpers' exit lineup would have on the aircraft's center of
gravity.  The NTSB concluded that the plane went out of control because
it was too tailheavy to be controllable.

The NTSB also faulted the FAA district office for insufficient 
surveilance of the jump operation, and recommended that FAA people
keep a closer watch on parachuting operations in the future.

I will try to get hold of a copy of their report, and will post details
if anyone is interested.

The above is a summary of the findings of the National Transportation
Safety Board and does not reflect the opinions of Boeing, the staff of 
the software support center VAX, or myself.

		      -fred wamsley, (206) 773-4200