1 Matches (out of a total of 833 incidents)

1. Date	Location	Category	Age	# Jumps	AAD?/RSL?	Dropzone.com Report	Dropzone.com Discussion
   10/05/1998	Las Vegas, NV	CCOL	34	3600	?/?
   Description: This was the first load of the day. The deceased was filming an 8 way, birthday load. According to reports, there was not much separation at break off. After breakoff at 4000ft, he did not deploy in place, as had been the plan. But instead, several witnesses said that they saw him start tracking in the same direction as the other fun jumpers. He was seen waving off and pulling directly above another fun jumper. Several witnesses from the ground, and from the air, saw his canopy open in a severe spin. It appeared that he was trying to unstow his steering handles as he corkscrewed 2 complete turns, and slammed directly into the chest and legs of another jumper. Both men had open main canopies. Neither of the canopies collapsed or tangled after the impact. (The other jumper was knocked unconscious for a brief period, he regained consciousness and landed.) He was taken to the hospital and his injuries are unknown. He was reported as saying that he saw he on opening and then collided. Another jumper on the load is said to have witnessed the entire collision. The witness followed him down. Following the collision he was seen in a hard spiral all the way to impact. His camera helmet came off on impact. It is not known whether he died in the collision or on landing.
   Lessons:Not enough information to make any real assessment, but camera flyers should be openning as soon as the group breaks off, thus reducing the liklihood of this scenario. Tracking with the group, particularly if unplanned, can increase the risk of the skydive.
   Name	Vic Pappadato