What happened
On January 15, 2015, a skydiver performing a jump from an altitude of 1,500 meters experienced a sequence of critical equipment failures. After successfully separating from the aircraft, the individual entered an unstable freefall and was unable to achieve a stable belly-to-earth position. During the descent, the skydiver attempted to deploy the main parachute but was unable to locate the deployment handle.
At approximately 700 meters, the skydiver initiated the deployment of the reserve parachute. However, during the inflation process, the reserve canopy suffered significant structural damage, including the snapping of two suspension lines and tears in the fabric of the right outer cell, as well as damage to the stitching of two ribs in the center cell. This malfunction resulted in an increased rate of descent. The skydiver landed on a concrete surface away from the airfield, resulting in serious injuries.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation focused on the sequence of events following the separation from the aircraft and the mechanical integrity of the reserve parachute. The investigation examined the skydiver's inability to locate the main deployment handle and the specific structural failures—namely the broken lines and torn fabric—that occurred during the reserve canopy's deployment.