What happened
On June 5, 2015, a student parachutist, performing their 17th jump as part of a training exercise, was conducting a landing maneuver at the EPNC landing field in Chrcynno. The student was using a Navigator 260 parachute operated by Aeroklub Warszawski. During the approach to the landing, the control lines were significantly pulled. In the final phase of the descent, the student released the control lines, which resulted in the parachute landing directly on the student's legs.
The investigation
The investigation, overseen by the training organizer, examined the sequence of the descent and the student's physical posture during the impact. The inquiry focused on the handling of the parachute's control lines and the student's body positioning at the moment of contact with the ground.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the release of the control lines during the final stage of the landing approach.
- The student maintained an incorrect landing posture, characterized by an increased forward and vertical descent speed.
- The student sustained minor injuries upon impact.
- The training organizer noted that the error of releasing the lines at a low altitude led to an uncontrolled increase in descent velocity, and that the student failed to adopt the required landing posture, which involves landing with legs together and muscles tensed.