What happened
On May 20, 2017, a student parachutist was performing their first-ever jump using a Mars 330 parachute. While at an altitude of approximately 300 meters, the individual had initially positioned themselves into the wind for the landing approach. However, for reasons that were not determined, the jumper changed position to land with the wind, causing them to drift away from the designated landing zone.
After drifting approximately 500 meters with the wind, the parachutist landed on the roof of a single-story building located on the edge of the Bydgoszcz (EPBY) airfield. Following the landing on the roof, the jumper leaped off the structure and landed on a concrete access road. This impact resulted in a broken right ankle.
The investigation
The investigation, conducted by the user/operator, examined the sequence of the jump and the landing maneuvers. The investigation focused on the deviation from the planned landing pattern and the subsequent impact on the ground.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the execution of a landing approach with the wind.
- The incident was categorized as an error during the formation of the landing pattern and the landing maneuver itself.
- Other jumpers from the same flight successfully landed within the designated landing zone at the airfield.