What happened
On May 31, 2015, a skydiver performing a jump from an altitude of approximately 4,000 meters experienced a malfunction with their primary parachute. The jump was conducted using a Cobalt 150 parachute at the Michałków (EPOM) airfield. Upon the deployment of the main canopy, the jumper observed severe twisting of the lines, which caused the parachute to enter a spiral descent.
In an attempt to rectify the line twisting, the jumper's rotational speed increased. To manage the situation, the jumper executed emergency procedures by cutting away the main canopy and deploying the reserve parachute. The jumper successfully landed within the designated landing area without injuries.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the equipment used during the jump. An examination of the Cobalt 150 parachute was conducted, and no mechanical irregularities or defects were found in the equipment. Records indicated that the jumper had previously used this specific parachute for approximately 350 jumps without any prior issues.
Findings
- The primary parachute experienced significant line twisting and a spiral descent immediately following deployment.
- The jumper's attempt to correct the line twist resulted in an increase in the rate of rotation.
- The investigation could not determine the specific cause of the parachute deployment malfunction.