Anna Endicott
| Date | Location | Category | Age | # Jumps | AAD?/RSL? | Dropzone.com Report | Dropzone.com Discussion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/08/2006 | Skydive Lillo, Spain | FFCOL | 31 | 72 | Y/Y | 198 | #2373705 | |
| DropZone.com Description: "Following a routine Freefly coached jump, Anna was observed to be tracking away from her coach. As the coach turned and tracked there was a collision. The force of the collision broke both legs of the coach and in some way contributed to his reserve opening. When he deployed his main, he landed with both canopies out. It is presumed that Anna was rendered unconscious as a result of the collision because she was seen slumped to one side under a turning reserve that had been opened by the AAD. It is unclear what injuries were caused by the collision or the landing. Anna was unconscious but breathing when friends/witnesses arrived at the scene, but she later died of her injuries." | ||||||||
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| USPA Description: After an uneventful 2-way sit-fly jump with a freefly coach, this jumper turned belly to earth at approximately 5,000 feet in preparation for deployment, as her coach tracked away for approximately six seconds. She struck the back of the coach’s legs as the coach deployed his main canopy. The collision broke both of the coach’s ankles and caused his reserve to deploy, forming a biplane configuration with his main. The first jumper continued in freefall after the collision until her AAD deployed her reserve. She received immediate medical attention soon after landing but died from internal injuries. The coach landed with his two canopies in the biplane configuration. The report did not indicate whether he suffered further injuries. | ||||||||
| USPA Conclusions:Witnesses reported this jumper appeared unresponsive under her reserve—slumped in her harness and in a slow turn, possibly caused by her body leaning to one side in the harness. She was likely rendered unconscious from the collision; however, it is not known whether her fatal injuries stemmed from the collision, the landing or both. Additionally, the report did not indicate the exact cause of the coach’s reserve activation. The report stated that the coach was flying head down before breakoff and that he transitioned to a horizontal track as the first jumper changed to a belly-to-earth position. This jumper may have tracked in the same direction as the coach, and the coach may not have gained as much horizontal separation as he intended. This would place the first jumper above the coach at deployment altitude. The report did not indicate whether the two jumpers had planned breakoff procedures or if the first jumper had planned to deploy in place or track away from the coach. Skydivers must have a plan for breakoff and canopy deployment on each jump to avoid accidents such as this one. Category H of the Integrated Student Program covers tracking with awareness while scanning for other jumpers and how to steer to a clear area while tracking. Jumpers must check the air above to identify any traffic hazards and verify their airspace is clear before deploying. Jumpers who have not practiced the maneuver of converting from a head-down orientation to a horizontal track often end up in a very steep track, greatly reducing horizontal separation. While freeflying, especially with those new to the discipline, jumpers can gain vertical as well as horizontal separation during breakoff, making it even more important to ensure clear airspace before deploying | ||||||||
| Name |
Anna Endicott |
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