| Date | Location | Category | Age | # Jumps | AAD?/RSL? | Dropzone.com Report | Dropzone.com Discussion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/08/2004 | Skydive Suffolk, VA | LAND | 36 | 201 | Y/Y | 42 | #1192639 | |
| Description: After a uneventful skydive the jumper flew his parachute back to the DZ and turned in for final at appox 600-700 AGL and started a straight in approach at appox 300-350 he grabbed his Front risers and continued his straight in approach. He was deep into the Risers until appox. 10-15 ft AGL when he released his Front Risers and never attempted to flair or was reaching for the rear risers when he struck the ground at appox 20-25 mph. We could not tell if he had his hands in his dive loops or was just grabbing the Risers. It is believed he did have his toggles in his hand although only one was in his hand when we arrived 30-40 secs later. We had 3 EMT's on the field at the time along with a trauma team gear bag, He was in good hands. He was Life flight to the Local Trauma unit were he died several Hours later from massive head trauma | ||||||||
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| USPA Description: After an uneventful freefall and initial canopy descent, this jumper made a straight-in approach from approximately 600 feet. At 300 feet, he pulled both front risers down evenly, apparently to increase his forward speed for landing. He let up on the risers at approximately ten to 15 feet but failed to flare the canopy. He struck the ground feet first and then struck his head hard on the ground.
He received immediate medical attention and was airlifted to a local hospital. He died several hours later from his head injuries. |
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| USPA Conclusions:This jumper was jumping an elliptical parachute at a wing loading of 1.4:1. The manufacturer of the canopy recommends that a jumper be an expert at this wing loading, yet this jumper had only 200 jumps. His previous canopy experience was not reported, but with so few jumps, this canopy choice was very aggressive. The jumper never received any type of structured canopy training and may have been unaware of how the canopy would react while using front risers. He was found with a toggle in only one hand, but it is believed he had both toggles in his hands during the landing approach.
Jumpers should repeatedly practice canopy maneuvers at a higher altitude before attempting to use a speed-building maneuver for landing. Any jumper can benefit from structured canopy training with a knowledgeable canopy pilot as a coach, and those who are looking to make performance landings should especially seek out this type of training. Jumpers should downsize to smaller canopies only after becoming thoroughly familiar with larger canopies flown at lighter wing loadings. All jumpers must flare the parachute at an altitude sufficient to allow the canopy to generate lift for the landing. |
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| Name | Dave Barksdale | |||||||