What happened
On September 5, 2020, a skydiver with PJ(B) certification performed their 1,072nd jump at the Lublin Radawiec (EPLR) aerodrome. The weather conditions at the time were favorable, with surface winds measured at 4-5 m/s from a 220° direction. The skydiver exited the aircraft at an altitude of 3,000 meters and deployed the parachute at 1,000 meters.
The descent proceeded normally as the skydiver approached the landing area from a 300° direction, executing two gentle 90-degree right-hand turns. However, during the final phase of the landing, the skydiver reported that the wind strength decreased drastically. This sudden drop in wind speed resulted in a significant loss of lift in the parachute, leading to a hard landing that caused an injury.
The investigation
The PKBWL examined the final report provided by the aircraft user. The investigation focused on the atmospheric conditions during the descent and the specific landing pattern used by the skydiver to determine why the parachute lost sufficient lift to maintain a controlled descent.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was a sudden change in atmospheric conditions during the landing phase.
- The landing was performed too close to airport buildings and tall trees, placing the skydiver in an area prone to air turbulence and wind shadows.
- The sudden weakening of the wind caused the parachute to lose the necessary lift required for a smooth touchdown.