What happened
On June 3, 2017, during a tandem skydiving jump near the Grądy (EPGY) aerodrome, a malfunction occurred involving an A-2 Tandem parachute. The jump began without incident, with the instructor and passenger exiting the aircraft at an altitude of 3,000 meters. The initial deployment and inflation of the main canopy proceeded normally.
However, during the subsequent opening sequence, the main canopy collapsed. This collapse was caused by the control lines shifting toward the leading edge of the canopy, creating a "cauliflower" effect. Upon evaluating the situation at an altitude of 1,400 meters, the instructor decided to cut away the malfunctioning main canopy and deploy the reserve parachute.
The deployment of the reserve parachute was successful, and the instructor and passenger landed safely at the designated landing area on the aerodrome without injuries.
The investigation
The investigation, conducted by the operator, focused on the sequence of the canopy deployment and the physical state of the equipment following the malfunction. The investigation examined the deployment process and the configuration of the lines prior to the jump.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was likely an improper packing process of the main canopy.
- The shifting of the control lines toward the leading edge was a direct result of how the canopy was laid out.
Safety action
Following the incident, the operator implemented preventive measures to ensure more meticulous packing of the main canopy. Specific emphasis was placed on properly securing the trailing edge and performing "gluing" techniques to prevent control lines from migrating toward the leading edge during deployment.