What happened
On August 13, 2015, a student skydiver was performing a series of jumps as part of a training program. The jump in question took place at the Olsztyn (EPOD) airfield. The student exited a Jak 12 A aircraft at an altitude of 1,200 meters. The initial exit from the aircraft and the subsequent flight under an open canopy proceeded without incident.
During the landing phase, which occurred in windless conditions, the student approached the landing zone at full canopy speed with the steering lines released. While approaching the ground, the student became distracted by another skydiver landing approximately 150 meters away. Upon realizing the proximity to the ground, the student attempted to flare the parachute at an altitude of only about 1 meter. Simultaneously, the student lifted their legs upward just before impact. This resulted in the student landing on their buttocks, causing serious injuries.
The investigation
The investigation examined the sequence of the jump, the student's actions during the landing approach, and the environmental conditions. The investigation established that while previous jumps under identical weather conditions had been completed successfully, the student's focus shifted during the final approach of this specific jump due to observing a nearby participant.