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A group of 6 skydivers almost collided with a Piper Saratoga (N95T) while they were in freefall earlier this week.
The group made a southern jump from an Otter aircraft at 13,000 feet above Skydive Arizona in Eloy, AZ. Including the group, 23 individuals were on the aircraft. The group claims that it looked for any hazards before exiting, but approximately 32 seconds into the dive, at around 8,000 feet, the Piper aircraft passed within 30-70 feet. None of the skydivers collided with the aircraft, though one claimed she was hit by its wake, causing what is known as a burble.
A burble is the breaking of the smooth airflow around a body, as defined by Merriam-Webster Dictionary. It is created by objects being directly below another, such as a skydiver, and obstructing the airflow. It can cause a more rapid fall for anyone above the object.
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One skydiver posted a video of the incident online and reported it to the FAA. While encounters between skydivers and aircraft other than the jump airplane are relatively rare, the ones that do happen often prove fatal. Pilots are advised to listen for ATC and CTAF advisories to determine if a Drop zone is currently active and are encouraged to make CTAF announcements with altitude information. Drop zones are depicted on sectional charts with a parachute icon and listed in the Airport Remarks section of the Airport/Facility Directory, according to AOPA. Pilots of jump aircraft are required to communicate with the ATC in controlled airspace. The AOPA Air Safety Institute recommends that pilots consider avoiding active jump zones by at least five miles.