What happened
On August 22, 2020, during a skydiving session at Nowy Targ Airport (EPNT), an incident occurred involving a skydiver during the 18th jump of the day. The skydiver, an experienced individual with USPA C qualification, exited a PAC 750 XSTOL at an altitude of approximately 4,000 meters.
During the exit process, the skydiver, who was wearing a wingsuit, pushed off the aircraft with excessive force. This resulted in the skydiver deploying into the wingsuit configuration too rapidly, causing their head to strike the aircraft's horizontal stabilizer. The skydiver landed in the designated landing zone, but following the impact, they reported a headache. Although medical personnel transported the individual to a hospital for a CT scan, no head injuries were detected, and the skydiver was released.
The investigation
The PKBWL examined the sequence of the exit and the physical impact on the aircraft. The investigation focused on the mechanics of the jump and the physical characteristics of the skydiver to determine why the separation from the aircraft was compromised.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the improper separation of the skydiver from the aircraft.
- The skydiver's physical stature, specifically a height of approximately 195 cm, was identified as a contributing factor to the event.
- The impact resulted in a slight dent to the aircraft's horizontal stabilizer.