At approximately 16.00 hours on Sunday 6th May 2007, the deceased boarded a Jet Ranger helicopter at Chetwynd Park, Shropshire, the site of the proposed parachute display, along with three other parachutists, including the Display Team Leader who was the Jumpmaster.
The helicopter climbed to approximately 2,000ft AGL, where WDIs were released, in order to ascertain the parachutists’ exit point.
The helicopter then climbed to approximately 3000ft AGL and ‘ran in’ over the top of the arena, (which measured approximately 72 metres by 123.5 metres, with good overshoot areas on all sides). Once the helicopter was near the exit point the parachutists commenced their exit procedures. All four parachutists exited in pairs close together, after which they formed a landing stack formation. All parachutes deployed normally.
The parachutists then flew their parachutes in a ‘stack’ type of formation, in order to stagger their landings.
The first team member to land was the team leader, he landed successfully near the centre of the arena. He was followed shortly after by another team member, who also landed successfully in the arena. At about this time he was seen to be flying his canopy cross wind near the edge of the arena. He was then observed to initiate a radical right turn, impacting with the ground after about a 120-degree turn.
The remaining team member landed in the arena without further incident.
A Board of Inquiry was instigated, which consisted of John Page, Vice-Chairman of STC and Instructor Examiner and Mark Bayada, Instructor Examiner. They arrived at the site within three hours.
The Conclusions of the Board are that the deceased made an uneventful free fall descent, deployed his main parachute at a suitable altitude, remained ‘up wind’ of the intended landing area until he commenced the final ‘down wind leg’ of the descent. At a low altitude, probably below 150ft AGL he initiated a radical 120-degree right turn in order to face into wind for landing. He then struck the ground at high speed before the parachute was able to recover from the turn.
The Board do not know why he made such a radical turn so close to the ground.
It was noted that this descent may have been only the fourth he had made as a display parachutist. Logged descents indicate he had not fulfilled the requirements for currency according to the BPA Operations Manual.
The Recommendations of the Board are that parachutists should be reminded of the dangers of performing radical manoeuvres close to the ground, and that Team Leaders are reminded that it is their responsibility to ensure team members meet the currency requirements prior to making a display descent.
Following some discussion, it was proposed by Stuart Meacock and seconded by Ray Armstrong that the Board of Inquiry Report into the death, including the Conclusions and Recommendations be accepted.
Iain Firkins