What happened
On October 6, 2018, a skydiver was performing a jump as part of task RW-11. The descent and all mid-air maneuvers were executed correctly. However, while the skydiver was performing a landing maneuver near the control tower at EPNC, the parachute canopy was struck by a sudden, violent lateral gust of wind. This gust caused the Stiletto 135 parachute to lose its flight stability, resulting in a high-speed landing.
Upon impact, the skydiver performed a roll and remained incapacitated. On-site medical personnel provided immediate first aid before the individual was transported to a hospital via an LPR helicopter. Medical examinations subsequently confirmed a fracture of the L-4 vertebral body.
The investigation
The investigation examined the environmental conditions at the landing zone and the aerodynamic behavior of the parachute during the final approach. The inquiry focused on the impact of local terrain and structures on wind patterns during the landing phase.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was landing within a zone of turbulent air conditions.
- These turbulence patterns were caused by air vortices generated near the wooded areas and buildings located adjacent to the landing zone.
Safety action
To prevent similar occurrences, the operator has implemented a procedure to designate landing zones outside of areas prone to turbulence and wind vortices when unfavorable wind directions are present.