Skydiver injured during landing error near Pruszcz Gdański

Casualties unknown • Pruszcz Gdański (EPPR), PL

An experienced skydiver sustained leg injuries after misinterpreting a signal and exiting an AN-2 aircraft prematurely, leading to an off-field landing.

What happened

On June 26, 2020, an experienced skydiver was performing a precision jump task as part of a training session. The jump was conducted from an AN-2 aircraft at an altitude of 1,500 meters. The aircraft was operating out of the Pruszcz Gdański (EPPR) airfield. Because the aircraft was carrying only independent skydivers, no dedicated jumpmaster was assigned to signal the exit.

During the flight, the skydiver misidentified an audible signal provided by the pilot. While the pilot intended the signal to indicate that the aircraft had entered the drop pattern, the skydiver interpreted it as the command to exit. Consequently, the skydiver jumped without verifying the aircraft's position or orientation relative to the landing zone. Following the exit, the parachute deployment and flight proceeded normally. However, upon realizing that the current trajectory would not allow for a landing at the airfield, the skydiver opted to land in a nearby grassy field. During the touchdown, the skydiver struck an unseen hole in the ground, resulting in ankle and knee injuries.

Probable cause

The skydiver exited the aircraft prematurely due to a misinterpretation of the pilot's signal, which led to an unplanned landing in an area with uneven terrain.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2020-06-26 Pilot 188 accident near Pruszcz Gdański (EPPR), PL?

An experienced skydiver sustained leg injuries after misinterpreting a signal and exiting an AN-2 aircraft prematurely, leading to an off-field landing.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2020-06-26 involved a Pilot 188, operated by Skoczek spadochronowy, at Pruszcz Gdański (EPPR), PL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The skydiver exited the aircraft prematurely due to a misinterpretation of the pilot's signal, which led to an unplanned landing in an area with uneven terrain.

Investigation report by the Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accidents Investigation (PKBWL). Original record: https://pkbwl.gov.pl/raporty/2020-1757/. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the Panstwowa Komisja Badania Wypadkow Lotniczych (PKBWL), Poland.

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