What happened
On May 11, 2015, at approximately 15:30 LMT, a student skydiver performing their third jump exited an An-2 aircraft near Zielona Góra, Poland. The jump was intended to be a static line deployment. Upon exiting the aircraft at an altitude of approximately 1,150 meters, the student adopted an unstable body position, characterized by arms positioned above the head, hips tilted backward, and asymmetrical leg placement.
This improper exit posture triggered an uncontrolled rotation of the student's body during the deployment sequence. The rotation caused a 12-second delay in the parachute opening process. During this period, the deployment lines became entangled with the student's body. As the Balance 260 parachute eventually deployed, a suspension line passed under the student's chin, exerting pressure on the neck. The student landed in a wooded area near the Przylep airfield, where the parachute became caught in the trees. Although bystanders attempted to rescue the student by cutting the constricting line, the student succumbed to injuries sustained during the jump and passed away on May 19, 2015.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation utilized video footage of the jump, data from the Vigil 2 automatic activation device (AAD), and an examination of the parachute equipment. The investigation reviewed the student's training records, which indicated they were undergoing training for a Class B qualification. The commission also analyzed the technical state of the Balance 260 parachute and the student's deployment sequence parameters, which confirmed a descent speed of 11 m/s after deployment and a deployment delay of 12 seconds.
Findings
- The student adopted an incorrect body posture during the aircraft exit, which initiated the uncontrolled rotation.
- The rotation caused the deployment process to be blocked for approximately 12 seconds.
- A suspension line passed under the student's chin during the deployment, leading to neck compression.
- The student likely lost consciousness due to the pressure on the neck, preventing them from using their emergency knife to cut the line.
- The parachute canopy was deformed due to the line tension, causing the canopy to spin during descent.