What happened
On September 21, 2018, a tandem skydive was conducted at the Kazimierz Biskupi (EPKB) aerodrome. The crew, consisting of a tandem pilot and a passenger, performed a jump using a Sigma 2 tandem parachute from an altitude of 4,000 meters. The initial deployment, freefall, and opening of the main canopy were all executed correctly. The flight and the approach to the landing zone proceeded normally.
However, immediately prior to touchdown, the parachute experienced sudden and severe turbulence. Despite the pilot performing the correct control inputs, the turbulence caused a hard landing. While the passenger did not report any significant distress immediately following the impact, they began experiencing pain in the lower spine after some time. A medical consultation approximately 1.5 weeks later confirmed a fracture of the sacrum.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the impact and the environmental conditions at the time of landing. The investigators examined the flight path, the deployment of the Sigma 2 canopy, and the pilot's control maneuvers during the final approach to determine why the landing was not smooth despite correct handling.
Findings
- The primary cause of the hard landing was sudden and unfavorable atmospheric conditions.
- The turbulence encountered during the final descent prevented a controlled, soft touchdown despite proper pilot intervention.