Cessna 210 Centurion / Turbo Centurion 210C; 210D
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 15; Flight Crew Total 5000; Flight Crew Type 1100
Situational Awareness
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Person / Animal / Bird
Human Factors; Procedure
On my takeoff roll on Runway XX; while I was about 1/4 the way down the runway; doing >40 knots and accelerating; several (2 or 3) skydivers passed from right to left over the runway less than 100 feet above me; doing their final approach to the landing area on the left side of Runway XX at mid-field. Effectively they were starting their flare to landing. A bit later and I could have easily been airborne at the time they passed over the runway. I consider this a runway incursion as they skydivers are prohibited from passing over the runway (I think at any altitude). Collision with a skydiver in my aircraft could easily result in multiple fatalities.
Pilot of aircraft reported via email to Airport Manager that during takeoff roll; 2-3 parachutist crossed the runway at mid-field at less than 100 feet AGL with several others crossing the runway at a higher altitude. Pilot of aircraft also stated in email complaint to airport manager that after returning to airport and putting aircraft in hangar; pilot witnessed another group of skydivers crossing the runway at low altitudes. Operator agreement with airport sponsor via Standard Operating Procedures states that runway crossings will not be performed below 1;000 feet AGL. Pilot expressed serious safety concerns with the incident. This certainly classifies as a Category C runway incursion; but could have quickly escalated to a Category B incursion. For the record; once a complaint or notification of an incursion is reported to the Airport Manager and verified; it is a requirement of the Airport Manager's position to report a runway incursion.
Pilot and Airport Manager reported a runway incursion involving skydivers in close proximity to the runway while aircraft departed.