What happened
On July 28, 2018, a student skydiver performed a jump from an altitude of 4,000 meters as part of a scheduled training task. The separation from the aircraft and the initial descent proceeded without incident. Upon reaching an altitude of approximately 1,300 meters, the student initiated the deployment of the main parachute. While the canopy inflated correctly, the skydiver perceived that the right steering toggle was jammed.
Due to this perceived malfunction, the student decided to cut away the main canopy and deploy the reserve parachute at an altitude of approximately 1,000 meters. The landing took place on the operational area of the Kazimierz Biskupi (EPKB) aerodrome, and the student sustained no injuries.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the technical state of the equipment following the incident. A thorough inspection of the main parachute was conducted. The examination revealed that the steering toggles were not blocked and were both fully released. Furthermore, the inspection found no irregularities regarding the technical condition of the suspension lines, control lines, or the canopy itself.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was an incorrect assessment of the situation by the skydiver.
- The skydiver's actions during the emergency procedure were consistent with standard skydiving safety protocols.