Faced with a bad spot, jumpers should plan high enough to fly a safe landing approach into a clear area. Turns must be completed in time for the canopy to recover to straight and level flight for the landing flare.
Bill McShain
| Date | Location | Category | Age | # Jumps | AAD?/RSL? | Dropzone.com Report | Dropzone.com Discussion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26/04/2003 | Monroe, GA | LOWT | 62 | 1673 | Y/? | #461553 | ||
| Description: This experienced jumper was on the first load in "tricky" winds with an off DZ spot. He was seen initiating a hard toggle turn at approximately 100 feet to avoid an unknown obstacle. | ||||||||
| Lessons: | ||||||||
| USPA Description: After an uneventful 10-way group freefall skydive and routine deployment, this jumper was faced with an off-field landing. At an altitude estimated between 60 and 80 feet, he made a hard 180-degree right turn and struck the ground at the same time as the canopy. The jumper broke his neck upon landing. | ||||||||
| USPA Conclusions:Three other jumpers in the same group landed safely in a nearby field. Witnesses observed this jumper turning left and right at apporximately 200 feet as if trying to decide where to land. It is not clear whether the jumper was trying to steer in the wind or avoid obstacles, but for whatever reason, he made an aggressive turn too low for the canopy to recover before landing. Neither the jumper's canopy size nor wing loading was reported. Faced with a bad spot, jumpers should plan high enough to fly a safe landing approach into a clear area. Turns must be completed in time for the canopy to recover to straight and level flight for the landing flare. |
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| Name |
Bill McShain |
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