What happened
On September 5, 2015, a skydiving operation was being conducted with jumps originating from Gliwice Airport. The fifth scheduled flight of the day was planned to conclude with landings at a stadium in Rybnik. Skydivers exited the aircraft in groups of three over the designated landing area.
During the landing sequence, one skydiver was performing a standard landing pattern. While positioned over the center of the stadium, the individual executed a sudden, sharp turn to change direction. This maneuver resulted in a loss of altitude that the skydiver could not recover before impact. The individual struck the ground hard, resulting in serious injuries. The other skydivers in the group completed their landings safely.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight path and the mechanics of the landing maneuver. The inquiry established that the skydiver was experienced, having completed 220 jumps, including 43 during the 2015 season. The investigation examined the altitude at which the turn was initiated and the capability of the Skipper 190 parachute to recover from such a maneuver.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the execution of a sharp turn at an altitude too low to allow the skydiver to level the parachute and dissipate forward speed before hitting the ground.
Safety action
Following the accident, the jump organizer conducted a safety briefing for all participants. The briefing emphasized that the landing pattern must be completed at an altitude that ensures sufficient height to level the canopy and decelerate. Additionally, it was recommended that skydivers perform accuracy landing training during operations at the airport to improve control.