What happened
On June 5, 2016, a skydiving accident occurred at the Kruszyn aerodrome (EPWK). The individual involved was a student skydiver performing their third lifetime jump, with the second jump of the day having been completed successfully.
During the descent, the freefall phase was executed correctly. After deploying the Navigator 2ឡើង0 parachute, the student reached the altitude loss zone and began performing turns to prepare for landing at an altitude of approximately 300 meters. The student established a headwind approach and was positioned over the designated student landing area at an altitude of about 100 meters. However, during the final phase of the landing, the student prematurely pulled the control lines. This action caused a loss of forward airspeed and a simultaneous increase in the rate of descent, while also altering the flight direction. Although the student maintained an appropriate body position during the descent, the impact upon landing resulted in one fatality.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of maneuvers performed during the final approach and the student's interaction with the parachute control lines. The inquiry established that the student was operating within the designated landing zone for trainees and had successfully completed the initial stages of the descent.