What happened
On July 15, 2017, a student skydiver was performing her second AFF (Accelerated Freefall) jump of the day at the Michałków (EPOM) airfield. Following the deployment of the main parachute, the student observed that the slider had not fully descended and appeared to be in an irregular position.
Despite the main parachute having inflated correctly, the student elected to execute emergency procedures. As a result, she deployed her reserve parachute and successfully landed in a forested area located south of the airfield. The student noted that the visual appearance of the slider issue was identical to an incident experienced by a fellow student two hours earlier.
The investigation
The investigation, conducted by the operator, focused on the student's decision-making process and the physical state of the equipment during the deployment sequence. The inquiry examined the student's observation of the slider and the subsequent execution of emergency protocols.
Findings
- The primary cause of the emergency deployment was an incorrect assessment of the situation.
- This error in judgment was further influenced by the student's recent conversation with a peer regarding a similar-looking issue experienced earlier that day.
Safety action
Following the incident, the jump organizer reviewed the event with the students involved. The organizer implemented additional training for students, specifically focusing on emergency procedures and decision-making in high-stress situations.