Skydiver injured during landing in Wędrzyn

Casualties unknown • Wędrzyn, PL

A skydiver sustained injuries after a thermal gust disrupted their landing approach during a group jump in Poland.

What happened

On August 4, 2015, a skydiver with 462 previous jumps was participating in a group jump involving seven participants near Wędrzyn. The objective of the jump was to land within a specific 30 x 30 meter target area. The skydiver successfully deployed a Voyager 300 parachute at an altitude of 3,000 meters and maintained a stable descent, reaching 1,300 meters before proceeding toward the landing zone.

As the skydiver approached the landing area as the third person in the sequence, they were at an altitude of approximately 5 meters. At this stage, the steering lines were at 50% deflection, and the skydiver had assumed the correct landing posture. However, a sudden thermal gust caused the parachute to shift forward and to the left, deviating from the established approach path. During this disruption, the skydiver uncrossed their legs, resulting in a side landing that caused bodily injuries.

The investigation

The investigation focused on the sequence of the landing approach and the environmental conditions at the time of the impact. The inquiry examined the skydiver's posture, the deployment of the parachute, and the impact of atmospheric conditions on the descent path.

Probable cause

The skydiver failed to maintain a proper landing posture, which, combined with a sudden thermal gust, led to an unstable side landing.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2015-08-04 Voyager 300 accident near Wędrzyn, PL?

A skydiver sustained injuries after a thermal gust disrupted their landing approach during a group jump in Poland.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2015-08-04 involved a Voyager 300, at Wędrzyn, PL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The skydiver failed to maintain a proper landing posture, which, combined with a sudden thermal gust, led to an unstable side landing.

Investigation report by the Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accidents Investigation (PKBWL). Original record: https://pkbwl.gov.pl/raporty/2015-1593/. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the Panstwowa Komisja Badania Wypadkow Lotniczych (PKBWL), Poland.

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