What happened
On May 25, 2019, a 36-year-old student skydiver performed her first-ever "static line" jump using a Mars M-2</strong>291 parachute. The jump originated from a Cessna 182 aircraft at the Mielec (EPML) airfield.
Following separation from the aircraft, the parachute opened and the student successfully maneuvered the canopy, following instructions from an instructor via a helmet-mounted radio. At an altitude of approximately 300 meters, the student turned into the wind. During this phase, the student stopped responding to the instructor's radio commands. At roughly 100 meters, she completed a 180-degree turn to face into the wind and prepared for landing by pulling her legs up and initiating a braking maneuver at approximately 10 meters altitude.
At an altitude of about 4 to 5 meters, the parachute experienced a stall. The student landed vertically on her tucked legs with an increased rate of descent, subsequently falling onto her back. Emergency medical services were summoned to the scene.
The investigation
The investigation examined the sequence of the jump, the equipment used, and the student's training. The instructor had conducted a theoretical exam and a practical harness training session covering all procedures from separation to landing, including emergency procedures. Meteorological conditions at the time consisted of surface winds of 5-6 m/s from a 280-300 degree direction.
An inspection of the parachute equipment revealed no damage. Additionally, the instructor's helmet-mounted radio was tested and found to be fully functional, with clear and loud audio transmission. Witnesses at the airfield confirmed the sequence of events as described.
Findings
- The student suffered a compression fracture of the lumbar spine.
- The primary cause of the accident was excessively early and forceful braking at approximately 10 meters altitude, which led to a canopy stall and an increased vertical impact velocity.
- The student was unable to hear the instructor's instructions during the descent, although the radio equipment was functioning correctly.